Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the "Masterpiece Mystery: Sherlock" series

Cellphones, computers and other high-tech devices are staples of today's crime-fighters, but imagine what powerful tools they'd become in the hands of literature's most famous detective. Benedict Cumberbatch returns as a modern-day Sherlock Holmes in "Masterpiece Mystery -- Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia," premiering Sunday, May 6, on PBS.

Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the 1880s, Sherlock Holmes is a sleuth for the ages. The fictional London-based detective appeared in at least 60 of Doyle's works, and he ranks among the most famous literary characters of all time.

Produced for the BBC in association with WGBH Boston for PBS's "Masterpiece" series, the second season of the acclaimed BBC "Sherlock" series begins with a scandalous blackmail scheme initiated by dominatrix Irene Adler (Lara Pulver). The savvy sex worker claims to have incriminating photos of a royal. Sherlock, a self-proclaimed consulting detective, takes the case and faces off against Adler, who aims to outsmart Sherlock at his own game.

Of course, Sherlock's right-hand man, Dr. Watson, returns as well. Martin Freeman once again tackles the role, which earned him accolades from numerous critics and millions of fans across the pond.

The highly anticipated Season 2 debut promises to deliver more of the witty banter and brilliant crime solving that made last season such a hit. It also could mean romance for Cumberbatch's Sherlock. Pulver explained the dynamic between the sleuth and unlikely love interest Adler this season.

"The brilliant thing is Irene and Sherlock just get each other to the core," she said in an interview with Scottish newspaper "The Daily Record." "They are so similar and so different on so many different levels. What was great was just pushing each other's buttons and seeing what exploded. It was fun."

"A Scandal in Belgravia" is actually the fourth of the updated "Sherlock" stories, which are all based on classic Doyle tales. It takes its lead from Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia." The first three -- "A Study in Pink," "The Blind Banker" and "The Great Game" -- comprised the first season, which first premiered on BBC 1 and BBC HD in the UK in Summer 2010.

To say Season 1 was well received is perhaps a bit of an understatement. It might have been considered a risk to place such a classic, iconic character in the present day, but the risk undoubtedly paid off. Not only did the series garner overwhelmingly positive critical reviews and spark a fashion revival of wool trench coats (seriously), it won the 2011 BAFTA Television Award for best drama series. "The Wall Street Journal" called the show "wonderfully weird," while "The Washington Post" described the show as "absorbedly witty and brisk."

Andrew Scott stars as Jim Moriarty in "Masterpiece Mystery: Sherlock"

No wonder. The character has been in good hands from the beginning. It was "Doctor Who" writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss who first re-imagined Doyle's famous hero in a modern-day setting. News of the potential series broke at the 2008 Edinburgh International Television Festival, and a 60-minute pilot was later produced but never made it to air. Instead, the BBC requested a reshoot and the current 90-minute format was born.

PBS brought the series to North Americans in October 2010, and the reception here was also enthusiastic.

Producers are likely hoping the hype will continue for its sophomore season. With three plotlines ripped from three more of Doyle's most popular, well-known stories, those are likely well-placed hopes. The network follows Sherlock's "Scandal" special with "The Hounds of Baskerville" on May 13, and "The Reichenbach Fall," featuring Sherlock's arch nemesis Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott), on May 20.

Much of the new "Sherlock's" success has to do with its two leads, Cumberbatch and Freeman.

Fans of Cumberbatch have a lot to cheer about lately. Not only has he signed on for a third season as the world's most revered consulting detective, he's involved in another high-profile reboot project. In January, it was announced the actor had signed on to play the villain in J.J. Abrams' sequel to his 2009 update of "Star Trek." He reportedly stepped in after the exit of Benicio Del Toro, who was originally tapped for the role.

These are busy times indeed for Cumberbatch. He's recently been seen on the big screen in Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" (2011) and the Cold War drama "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011). Coming up, he's slated to voice both Smaug the dragon and the Necromancer in Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" project.

Cumberbatch may headline as the iconic figure, but Freeman is no less a star of the "Sherlock" series. Praised for his multifaceted portrayal of the indispensable sidekick, he won the 2011 BAFTA award for best supporting actor for his part as Watson.

The English actor is also famous for his role as Tim Canterbury in the BBC's original version of the mockumentary comedy "The Office," and he starred in the big-screen adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (2005), based on the book by Douglas Adams. Freeman has also snagged the coveted leading role of Bilbo Baggins in Jackson's "The Hobbit" adaptation.

"Sherlock" isn't the only import making waves in North America since crossing the pond. Shows from the U.K. have been invading television screens on this side of the Atlantic for years, both in their original forms and as remakes. One of the most notable ones is the aforementioned "The Office," which NBC revamped in 2005. It's become a huge hit and has led the way for other British series.

Syfy has adapted BBC Three's "Being Human" with a North American cast, and BBC's science fiction series "Doctor Who" has had a huge cult following in Canada and the U.S. for years. Fans of the Britcom "The IT Crowd" have been waiting for a North American version of the series for years, but a pilot filmed in 2007 didn't prove popular with network execs and the show was canned. However, hope resurfaced in 2010, when show creator Graham Linehan said the NBC version could be back on. Sadly for fans, that was the last anyone heard of the series. There are rumors, however, about a full-length feature, starring the Brits from the original.

Sherlock has fared much better, luckily for him. Tune in for a look at the modern-day sleuth Sunday, May 6, on PBS's "Masterpiece."