EXCLUSIVE: Andy Berman, a veteran of USA Network‘s signature blue-sky era, is eyeing a return to the network with Sherlock’s Secretary, a new procedural based on a true story, sources tell Deadline.
The series follows a quirky London woman whose job is responding to the thousands of letters addressed to the world’s greatest detective. After years of answering them, she unknowingly becomes the closest living thing to Sherlock Holmes — and begins investigating real mysteries arriving at 221B Baker Street.
Reps for USA Network/Versant declined comment.
Hailing from Fox Entertainment Studios, Sherlock’s Secretary gives USA/Versant a fresh procedural built around one of the world’s most recognizable literary brands. The project originated with veteran unscripted producer Bruce Nash, who discovered the story behind the real-life Sherlock’s secretary and brought it to Berman.
“When I learned there was an actual person whose job was answering letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, I knew there was a television series hiding inside that story,” Nash told Deadline. “Andy immediately saw a fresh way into the Sherlock universe, and I couldn’t be more excited to see it find a home at USA.”
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For Berman, the project marks a homecoming after more than a decade away from USA Network. Previously, he spent eight seasons on the hit detective series Psych, rising from staff writer to co-executive producer while writing and directing many of the show’s fan-favorite episodes. Additionally, he co-wrote the film sequel Psych 2: Lassie Come Home.
We’re told that he’s writing the pilot, will serve as showrunner, and will exec produce alongside Nash for Nash Entertainment, as well as Michael Van Dyke for Inspired Entertainment. Gug Kyriacou serves as a consultant here after serving as the real-life Sherlock’s secretary for many years while working for Abbey National — a bank whose London campus on Baker Street encompasses 221B, Arthur Conan Doyle’s address for his literary creation.
Berman’s other credits include exec producing, writing and showrunning Sony Pictures Television International’s Carter, exec producing Fox’s Rosewood, co-EP’ing on CBS’s So Help Me Todd, and serving as consulting producer on ABC’s High Potential.
He has previously sold pilots to DreamWorks, Disney, 20th, Universal, Fremantle, ABC, Fox, and FX, and said, “I’m thrilled to be coming home to USA, a place that has always believed in smart, character-driven storytelling. I’m equally excited to once again have the opportunity to steal office supplies.”
Berman is repped by Paradigm, Ted Miller at Triangle Management, and Gregg Gellman at Yorn, Levine, Barnes.