from: Bert Coules (2001)

(file name is from Gene, saved in documents - otherwise undated, but the mentioned Memorial Service was held on 28th November 2001, and Williams died 11 January 2001.)

Dear Gene Davenport,

Thank you so much for your email and kind comments. I'm delighted to know that you have enjoyed the BBC Holmes series so much, and especially that you appreciated what we tried to do with Watson's character and personality (which was basically no more than to present the man as he is in the stories and not as he has become over the years.)

Obviously I share your sadness at the death of Michael Williams; in fact, I'm going to a memorial service for him next week at the Actors' Church in Covent Garden. These things are usually celebratory rather than sorrowful, but it will be a moving occasion I've no doubt.

You ask about anything of mine in the future; thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, you've just missed a version of John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps which went out last month; before that, there was a repeat of The Final Problem (Michael's favourite Holmes episode) preceded by a specially-recorded tribute from Clive Merrison. In the studio later this year will be a short series of original Holmes-and-Watson episodes which were planned for last year but which had to be postponed; the BBC has not yet announced who will be taking over as Watson. Four of the five shows will be released on tape sometime during 2002.

Thanks again for taking the time and trouble to write.

Regards,

Bert Coules

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