Let’s face it, Sherlock Holmes fits very much into our idea of “very British.” The winter coat, the deerstalker hat, the piercing accent, the characters’ obsession with tea (which us Egyptians are really, really into), and 221B Baker Street are elements that neither the books nor the show can do without. We would be undermining its amazingness if we deny that something about it is very universal. There is somehow a universal appeal about an anti-social detective whom we would typically hate except he is so charmingly genius, about his amiable and skilled Watson whom we adore, about an alter-ego villain who is intermittently surprising, about a team that is good enough to solve crimes the state had thought impossible to solve.
This is why, we believe in its ability to go Masry. In excitement and extreme fangirling over season four’s new trailer, which doesn’t tell us much but whatever, my sisters (not even joking) and I have decided to make an imagined cast list of Egyptian stars who can play in an Egyptian Sherlock.
Sherlock Holmes – Mohamed Farrag
Our first choice is possibly the most controversial one. “What does drug addicted ‘Ali’ have in common with Cumberbatch?” Intelligence, charm, and crazy good acting skills, maybe? We believe Farrag has what it takes to play Cumberbatch’s shrewd, clever-witted, and sharp humored Sherlock. When trying to find an actor a little compatible with Cumberbatch’s looks, we found a couple. With his intelligence in acting, however, we struggled, but immediately thought of Farrag. Bear in mind he pulled off a pretty decent psychiatrist this year with Nelly Karim and was a total darling.
John Watson – Dhaffer L’Abidine
What a great pick he is! *pats self on the back * L’Abidine is perfect for playing the amiable, lovable, and good natured man that is John Watson. Watson’s strong adherence and loyalty to justice and his loved ones can easily be shown in his frown lines and warm smiles. He might also have great chemistry with Farrag. Asser Yassin was also considered!
Greg Lestrade – Mohamed Mamdouh
A police inspector who is always on the go and is very bossy but deep down has a kind heart and sound judgement, how ideal would Mamdouh be! Not to mention that the man owns every role he plays, and could also add a great deal of humor to the Sherlock.
Mrs. Hudson – Ragaa El Geddawy
A caring lady who is also a boss. An excellent fit. We can just see her give an Egyptian equivalent of “I’m your landlady, not your housekeeper!”
Molly Hooper – Nada Moussa
Molly is an intelligent and passionate woman with subtle beauty and we think Moussa has what it takes. She would make an amazing awkward Molly in a pony tail without overdoing things as our actors and actresses might tend to do.
James Moriarty – Ahmed Helmy
How absolutely delightful would this be? Helmy has an excellent credit of playing complex roles, but we have yet to see him as a villain, and he would kill it. He is an extremely sensitive actor who would show both genius and internal conflict amazingly. Please let this happen? Please?
Irene Adler – Ruby
Ruby has proven herself a skilled and confident actress and can easily play this deceiving, overpowered, stunning female character! Dareen Haddad from “Elfeel El Azra” was also a pick, but I’ve seen Ruby play too many good television parts for me to not cast her.
Mary Morstan – Hana Sheeha
Mary is the character we did not (and possibly do not) know what to make of. She is smart, upbeat, thoughtful, and almost too perfect. Hana can show all these traits yet still bring up the more grave side that Mary had to herself.
Mycroft Holmes – Khaled ElSawi
We cannot have a cast list of geniuses without bringing up his name. He can play Sherlock’s smart, dutiful, strict, controlling sibling very brilliantly and not take away from the complexity of the character. He would raise the IQ of the cast list by far.