A conversation with actor Vasily Livanov touched on the making of the series Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, directed by Ilya Maslennikov, in which Livanov starred in the leading role. He recalled moments from the production that left a lasting impression on him and shed light on the director’s approach to storytelling.
According to Livanov, there was a turning point after a particular episode when the director hinted at having a hidden strategy behind the scenes. The actor remembered the moment with a wry smile, noting that the comment certainly suggested a carefully planned method, though he and the cast did not fully grasp the director’s intent in that moment. The exchange served as a reminder that creators often guard their plans until the final cut, and the performers adapt as the work unfolds.
In Livanov’s view, the success of the project owed much to the seasoned cameraman Yuri Veksler and his colleague in the frame, actor Vasily Solomin. He pointed to their professional skill as a stabilizing force that kept the production on track. The actor expressed skepticism about Maslennikov’s strengths in the detective genre, noting that the director’s approach sometimes seemed at odds with the genre’s demands. He mentioned that the director might have relied on social leverage to balance gaps in filmmaking craft, which Livanov described as a sign of opportunism and a weakness in the overall execution.
Maslennikov’s connections, Livanov suggested, were a form of influence that helped him move through the industry. He compared Maslennikov to another respected professional, Ilya Averbakh, and reflected on how different career paths can be, especially when one route relies on networking rather than purely on directing talent. Livanov’s assessment emphasized a distinction between genuine directorial skill and the influence that comes from positioning within the industry. He concluded that the director did not become a formal organizer of the film’s production or establish a lasting presence at Lenfilm, which to Livanov underscored a gap between potential and realized leadership in the project.
Earlier comments from Konstantin Khabensky hinted at discussions around the theatre world and the broader industry, including remarks about the way reputations or narratives can take on a life of their own. The conversation, as Livanov recounts it, illustrates how artistic teams navigate collaboration, fame, and the perception of their work within the public eye. The dialogue between artist and director in projects like Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson reveals the delicate balance between creative vision and practical filmmaking demands, a balance that can shape how audiences remember a series long after its first broadcast.