Jude Law didn't know anything about Sherlock Holmes.

The actor plays the fictional English detective's sidekick Dr. Watson in the new film of the same name but confesses he was unaware of the literary character created by Arthur Conan Doyle before agreeing to the role.

He said: "Yes, I'm English, but I never really read the 'Sherlock' books as a boy. This was a new literary discovery for me, but a great one because as an adult I was able to sit down and love the source material. Believe me when I say it's a good thing to grab a mug of tea and curl up with a great 'Sherlock Holmes' book."

As well as being impressed with the books, Jude was also blown away by how the film's director Guy Ritchie and the production team were able to recreate 19th Century England.

The 37-year-old star said: "The production designers did an amazing job embellishing historic England. The details were exquisite. I really felt as I had taken a time travel back into history."

Jude stars in the action blockbuster alongside Robert Downey Jr. - who plays the titular detective.