The expansion of Hartswood Films' Cardiff production unit offered both economic and logistic advantages for the 'Sherlock' series. Economically, filming in Cardiff was more cost-effective than in London, allowing for a reduced budget while still achieving desired production quality . Logistically, the presence of the BBC's 'drama village' in Cardiff enhanced operational efficiencies, allowing for streamlined production processes and easier access to diverse filming resources and set locations . This strategic move not only reduced costs but also supported the integration of modern and period architectural styles necessary for the series' setting .

The relocation of filming to Cardiff impacted the creative process of 'Sherlock' by providing a flexible environment conducive to innovation and efficiency. This move allowed the production team to manage costs more effectively, freeing up resources that could be allocated to enhancing other creative aspects of the show . Cardiff offered architectural settings comparable to London, maintaining the visual aesthetic necessary for the modern replication of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic settings . Additionally, the logistical advantages of Cardiff's 'drama village' enabled streamlined operations, allowing the creative team to focus more on artistic elements rather than on managing external filming constraints .

North Gower Street was chosen for the exterior shots in 'Sherlock' primarily due to the logistical challenges and impracticalities associated with filming on the heavily trafficked Baker Street. Baker Street also had too many items labeled 'Sherlock Holmes', which would have required excessive effort to disguise . Using North Gower Street allowed the production to bypass these issues while maintaining a visually suitable alternative. This decision not only facilitated smoother filming processes but also contributed to maintaining the authenticity of the setting without drawing unwanted attention or disruption in a more famous location .

The writers of 'Sherlock' faced creative challenges in modernizing iconic elements of the Sherlock Holmes stories while retaining their essential character. For instance, although the use of first names between Holmes and Watson was deemed modern, it was a significant departure from traditional character interactions . The iconic address '221B' was retained on the door despite its anachronism in a modern setting, due to its symbolic importance . Additionally, instead of showing text messages on a phone, director Paul McGuigan creatively decided to display them directly on the screen, enhancing the modernity of communication without altering narrative aesthetics .

Coordinating the schedules of key 'Sherlock' cast members was challenging due to their commitments to other high-profile projects. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were involved in filming 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', while Steven Moffat was engaged as the showrunner and head writer for 'Doctor Who' . These overlapping schedules required the production team to work flexibly, planning around these commitments and potentially causing delays or influencing the release schedule. Despite these challenges, the team effectively managed to produce the series by prioritizing coordination and strategic planning to accommodate the constraints .

David Arnold and Michael Price enhanced the series' tone by developing a central theme and character sound that aligned with the show's modern take on Sherlock Holmes. This involved creating music initially using synthesizers, which were later recorded by real musicians to impart a dynamic and authentic feel to the compositions . The use of live musicians allowed performers to adjust their interpretation of the music in response to the visuals on-screen, thus enriching the emotional resonance and narrative impact . This approach ensured that the series maintained a distinct and memorable auditory identity, complementing its unique visual style and storytelling framework .

The production team faced the necessity of balancing authenticity with budgetary constraints by using various strategies for location and set design. They filmed the exterior shots of Holmes's 'Baker Street' residence at North Gower Street in London due to the impracticality of Baker Street's traffic and iconic Sherlock Holmes signage that would have required disguising . To further manage costs, production was based in Cardiff, where filming was cheaper than in London, although certain scenes required shooting in London for architectural authenticity . The creators wanted to 'fetishise modern London' in the series, which heavily influenced their choice of locations, while maintaining a contemporary yet eccentric design for Sherlock's flat .

The writers of 'Sherlock' balanced the series' modernity with its Victorian roots through several key narrative and design decisions. By retaining iconic elements such as the '221B' door signage, the show maintained a strong connection to the original stories despite modern architectural conventions . The choice to use first names for Holmes and Watson provided a contemporary touch, while the series title itself paid homage to the original material . Director Paul McGuigan's idea to depict text message communications on-screen rather than through traditional cut-away shots introduced modern technology seamlessly into the narrative without disturbing the story's traditional dramatic elements .

Costuming in 'Sherlock' was designed to reflect Holmes's character by emphasizing a blend of classic and modern elements. Sarah Arthur, the series's costume designer, avoided making Holmes a fashion icon, instead opting for classic suits with a modern twist, including narrow-leg trousers and a two-button, slim-cut jacket . A sweeping coat was specifically chosen for its dynamic presence in action scenes against the London skyline, enhancing the visual style with practicality and modernity . This approach captured Holmes's eccentricity and pragmatism without straying from his intellectual persona. Arthur's decisions drew from contemporary and classic influences, creating a unique fashion statement representative of Sherlock's distinctive character .

The 'Sherlock' production team carefully crafted a contemporary yet distinctive setting to convey the eccentricity of Holmes's character. Set designer Beryl Vertue was tasked with creating Sherlock's flat to reflect his unique personality; she emphasized an environment that was far from 'too suburban' or 'too modern,' thus capturing his distinguished eccentricity aesthetically . In terms of costuming, Sarah Arthur ensured that Holmes's wardrobe was both classic and modern, featuring narrow-leg trousers, a two-button slim-cut jacket, and the iconic sweeping coat, aligning with his idiosyncratic nature while fitting the visual demands of contemporary London . These design choices collectively crafted a believable yet unique embodiment of Holmes for a modern audience .