The CBS show Elementary was almost completely different.  Huffington Post reports that the stars of the show, Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, originally turned down the roles.

“There have been hundreds of incarnations over the years, but because of the high-profile ones recently, it didn’t seem like a good idea at all,” Miller told Watch. “I initially said no to the project … I think Lucy did the same thing. But I came to my senses! I read the script and thought it was very interesting, different and strong enough that we could do something different with it.”

Sherlock Holmes is a popular subject these days.  There have been several tv shows and movies trying to put a twist on the classic tales.  Because of this, Liu and Miller were hesitant to be involved with just another Sherlock Holmes show.

 “I said ‘no’. I passed on it a couple of times. I just thought, you know what, to take something that’s a movie that was very recent and a current TV show, I just didn’t know what could be different about it.” Liu said to British newspaper The Independent.

 Elementary will begin its second season on Thursday, September 26 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.  Guest stars in the new season include Jeremy Jordan and Sean Pertwee. The season is kicked off  with a premiere filmed on location in London.