The Irregulars

An appealing cast, a light horror-mystery vibe, period visuals, and a fresh spin on a much-explored literary figure keeps this show entertaining despite its hoary case-of-the-week setup. Sherlock Holmes stories have certainly been the basis for endless adaptations, both cinematic and televised, and the rip-roaring success of the Cumberbatch-as-Sherlock series is the obvious inspiration for a teen spin on the old-timey London detective narrative. Setting the action amongst a group of savvy street kids who help Watson and Holmes out with their inquiries is a brilliant idea, and it allows the viewer to see a dirtier, seamier side of 19th century London life than is typical for period dramas.

The young cast is easy to root for, too, especially Thaddea Graham's Bea, who's essentially the older sister/mom figure of the foursome who make up the found family The Irregulars centers on. Steely-eyed and fearless, she makes an excellent heroine to root for, focused on keeping her makeshift family housed and fed and reluctantly involving herself in Holmes' cases for cash rather than as an exciting intellectual diversion, as is often the case with Holmes. The Irregulars' frequent flirtations with horror movie imagery and plotlines is also fun: a villain who can call down ravens to do his murderous bidding? A mystical dream world with a spirit guide who helps solve mysteries? It's weird and it works, like The Irregulars itself.