The historical sections of Sherlock’s special “The Abominable Bride” are set in 1895.
The special begins by presenting Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in the Victorian period associated with Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories. The story concerns a supposedly dead bride who appears to return and kill people, creating a case that Holmes must investigate.
The date 1895 is shown as part of the special’s historical framing. The episode then connects its Victorian mystery to the modern Sherlock narrative through a mind-palace sequence, allowing the programme to move between its original-period imagery and contemporary characters.
The special is not a straightforward replacement for the modern series. It uses the Victorian setting as a story device while continuing the show’s ongoing plot. This is why viewers may remember both period costumes and modern references in the same episode.