BBC Quickly Solves ‘Sherlock’s Missing Shoulder Mystery

BBC officials rushed to alter a promotional Sherlock picture after fans of the TV drama were left reeling over Benedict Cumberbatch’s shoulder, which appeared to be missing due to an editing blunder.

Series producer Sue Vertue uploaded the photograph on Twitter on Tuesday to promote the upcoming 2015 special of the mystery TV series.

It featured Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson and Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes dressed in top hats and Victorian-period clothing, which is unusual for the modern-day drama.

However, most fans noticed that Cumberbatch’s shoulder seemed to have been cut off, and they began speculating whether the blunder was a photo-editing mistake or a hint about the special.

The image was quickly re-edited so the error was hidden behind Freeman and the BBC’s official Twitter account published the new photo, but not before someone could make a Twitter account parodying the whole ordeal:

Wen u casually lose ur shoulder in a photoshoot like same oh wait pic.twitter.com/JaoeA6WcCR

— Ben C's shoulder (@bencshoulder) November 26, 2014

Sherlock writer/actor Mark Gatiss laughed off the mishap, writing, “Based on the lost story ‘The Adventure of the Missing Shoulder’… ”

Based on the lost story 'The Adventure of the Missing Shoulder'… pic.twitter.com/SxaGnYsev1

— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) November 25, 2014

An air date for the currently untitled special has not been announced.

Photo Credit: BBC