Given the hype surrounding the "Sherlock" Christmas special entitled "The Abominable Bride," it is amazing how the show has managed to keep plot details under close wraps.
When Collider spoke to the show's executive produce Rebecca Eaton about it, she said that they have a lot to thank a fellow British television show for their ability to keep secrets.
"We learned a lot with 'Downton Abbey'about how to keep a secret. When you have continuing seasons and cliffhangers at the end of a season, it's really hard to keep those. I've discovered that people don't actually want to have things spoiled, and they really try to avoid spoilers," she said.
So when Eaton was asked just what she can divulge in order to tide fans by before the particular episode airs, she tried to emulate producer Steven Moffat.
"Steven Moffat is very tricky. That is what makes him so good and that's what we love him for. Just because you think one thing, don't assume that it's true. That's the usual with him. You can make no assumptions. Nothing is straightforward," she shared. "With Steven, things are so complicated that it's easy to be cryptic because he is cryptic. Even dropping a hint wouldn't necessarily be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Everybody was very up for this. You start to smile, from the first frame, and then you see where he takes it and you just shake your head."
"Sherlock" undoubtedly has legions of fans, all hoping that the show would live on for several more seasons. Eaton herself does not know until when the show will last, but she, just like the others, all desire the same thing.
"I don't want to know, if that's the case. I really don't. But, I have no sense that it will be the last. Nobody is saying that. They've got to write it, shoot it and broadcast it, which can take a couple of years. But, I think everybody is hoping that it goes on and on. It really depends so much on Steven and Mark (Gatiss) continuing to have good ideas," she said.
Going back to "Downton Abbey," Eaton also said that she does not mind if "Sherlock" gets compared to it because she considers the latter show as "the gold standard."
"And it became a comparative thing. Anybody who pitches a story or an idea for a film to an executive, whatever the latest hit is, is what you're comparing it to. For television, that's 'Downton Abbey.' It's a huge compliment when something is compared to it. I'm very proud of that, and don't mind it, at all," she admitted.
