A Sherlock star admits that was given her role in the show through nepotism. In the hit BBC adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's work, each episode of Sherlock adapts a different story as the acclaimed investigator tracks down criminals and solves mysteries. As Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) drags John Watson (Martin Freeman) along to uncover more secrets and unravel worldwide conspiracies, every adventure gets increasingly dangerous.
A major element of the show is Watson's relationship with his wife, Mary (Amanda Abbington). Now, during the Hollywood nepotism controversy, Abbington admits that she actually earned the role because of her relationship with Martin Freeman. In an interview on the Full Disclosure podcast, she explained exactly why BBC thought that nepotism was a good idea when casting for Sherlock. Check out her quote below:
“Because I was with Martin at the time, there was a lot of [accusations of] nepotism being banded about. It’s true, it was that. Both Mark [Gatiss] and Steven [Moffat, the show’s writers] said they were trying to figure out who the best person would be to play Mary and they thought it would be the person who was going out with him. It made sense. And we’d worked together on many things."
Why Nepotism Controversies Are Rising In Hollywood
Sherlock isn't the only recent production to use nepotism with casting. Controversy has erupted over complaints about nepotism in Hollywood. With many actors getting their start because of their loved ones' involvement in the film industry, Hollywood appears to be looking less like a meritocracy by the day. The benefiting actors are often referred to as "nepo babies" by critics.
As talk about nepo babies increases, awareness is also growing about which Hollywood faces are actually products of nepotism. The recognition is especially apparent with 2022 hits featuring so many nepo babies, including Lewis Pullman — the son of Bill Pullman (Independence Day) — appearing in Top Gun: Maverick.
While some actors who benefit from nepotism fail to produce adequate performances, it can be difficult to claim that none of them perform their roles well. After all, Addington's connection with Freeman offered her the chance to create a believable relationship for Mary and Watson in Sherlock. Despite the rising controversy, Addington's nepotism casting is far from Sherlock's worst problem.
Source: Full Disclosure