10 Best TV Versions of Sherlock Holmes, Ranked
For more than a century, the deerstalker-wearing, pipe-smoking Sherlock Holmes has been one of the most frequently adapted characters in popular culture. From faithful Victorian-era interpretations to modern reimaginings that transported the detective into the present day, many different actors have put their own spin on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant yet eccentric sleuth.
Some stayed remarkably close to the source material, while others took bold creative risks that helped introduce Holmes to entirely new audiences. Thanks to television, the legend of Sherlock Holmes reached generations of viewers around the world, ensuring that Baker Street’s greatest resident remained as popular and fascinating as ever.
For the last 70 years, several actors have brought Sherlock Holmes to life on the small screen, each offering a unique take. Here is a look at some of the most definitive television portrayals of Holmes, ranked by impact.
(Please note that this list is limited to live-action television series and does not include made-for-TV or streaming movies, loose interpretations, or animated series. As much as we would have loved to include Henry Cavill‘s Baker Street detective from the Enola Holmes franchise, Hugh Laurie‘s House, Roger Moore‘s Sherlock Holmes in New York, or even the beloved Sherlock Hound, they fall outside the scope of this ranking. Please enjoy.)
10. Jonathan Pryce
Mostly included here for funsies and a deep-seated love of Jonathan Pryce, 2007’s Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars was a two-part TV pilot that never turned into a full series. Holmes was not the main focus of the story, but many viewers felt Pryce’s performance was one of the best parts. The plot followed a group of kids who tried to solve a mystery and prove that a framed Sherlock Holmes was innocent of murder.
9. Ronald Howard
British actor Ronald Howard starred as the detective in the 1954 television series Sherlock Holmes. His charming, amiable, and youthful interpretation of Holmes helped define the character for early TV audiences. Considered the first true attempt to create a regular Holmes TV series, his performance is hindered by what many critics at the time considered mediocre writing and a meager budget.
8. Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle‘s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the CBS television series Watson offers a dark, psychologically complex take on the detective. Carlyle delivered a more nuanced version of Holmes to the screen when he interacted with former partner, Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut). Though many die-hard fans of Holmes found this version divisive, Carlyle brought his signature edgy charisma to the role.
7. David Thewlis
David Thewlis portrays a gritty, middle-aged Sherlock Holmes in The CW’s 2025 mystery series Sherlock & Daughter. Forced to work alone to protect his friends, his isolated world is upended when a young American arrives in London claiming to be his long-lost daughter, drawing him into hijinks. A bit salty, a bit bitter, his performance was praised even if the show was largely forgotten.
6. Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing, who starred as the detective in the Hammer version of The Hound of the Baskervilles, returned to the role in the ’60s BBC television series Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock fantatics praised his faithful portrayal of the character, but sadly, much of the series no longer exists. Although the show originally ran for 16 episodes, only a handful of episodes, including the two-part The Hound of the Baskervilles, survived because the BBC erased many of its old programs during that era.
5. Hero Fiennes Tiffin
In Guy Ritchie‘s hit Prime Video series Young Sherlock, Hero Fiennes Tiffin played a 19-year-old, unfiltered version of the legendary detective, bringing a scrappy charm to the role. While traditionalists may have found this irreverent Oxford student to be a departure from the classic Holmes character, Tiffin’s performance worked because this Holmes was clearly a work in progress, showing glimpses of what the brilliant detective would eventually become.
4. Douglas Wilmer
BBC TV series Sherlock Holmes star Douglas Wilmer was celebrated as an authentic and definitive Sherlock Holmes thanks to his incisive intellect and striking resemblance to the Sidney Paget illustrations. Adapting stories like “The Red-Headed League” and “The Six Napoleons,” critics enjoyed his abrasive take on the character, but at the time, the series was sometimes criticized for its lackluster production.
3. Jonny Lee Miller
Jonny Lee Miller‘s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in CBS’s Elementary was widely praised by critics and fans for its vulnerable and empathetic take on the iconic detective. He played Holmes as a recovering addict in contemporary New York City, balancing the character’s brilliance and eccentricity with genuine emotional growth.
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch‘s turn in Sherlock was celebrated for successfully bringing the detective into the 21st century with a brilliant, high-functioning sociopath interpretation. The slick, fast-talking energy and modern production style helped the series achieve mainstream popularity, though some purists noted that the character strayed from Conan Doyle’s original version. Cumberbatch’s commanding voice, expressive physicality, and fantastic chemistry with Martin Freeman‘s Watson helped ground the eccentric detective in genuine human emotion.
1. Jeremy Brett
Jeremy Brett was widely considered the definitive screen Sherlock Holmes. During his decade-long run across The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Brett delivered a portrayal that many fans believe could never be surpassed. His version stayed remarkably true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character, as he brought Holmes to life with the quick movements, sharp intellect, and dramatic mood swings described in the books. For many viewers, he came closer than any other actor to capturing the Sherlock Holmes that Conan Doyle created on the page. His performance became the benchmark against which nearly every Holmes actor who followed was measured, and even influenced future Sherlocks, including Benedict Cumberbatch.
Conversation39 Comments
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J
While not a TV version, it's hard to get past Basil Rathbone as Sherlock in no less than 14 movies starting in 1939!
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P
The old Basil Rathbone films were part of what got me into being a Sherlock Holmes nut, though also read all the books and short stories. Those films were a bit odd when you look back now, as after the first few they were set in 1940s. But the version they did of The Hound of The Baskervilles is excellent.
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J
I agree with Jeremy Brett as #1... he was the perfect Holmes. I agree that Basil Rathbone was a very good Holmes also, he had the exact correct physical characteristics. But many of his Holmes movies were just ridiculous, as they were set during 'contemporary' times rather than in the 1880s or 1890s.
Also I would put Jonny Lee Miller over Cumberbatch. I loved Elementary, thought it was an excellent show. At first I thought I'd like Sherlock, but it just turned me off; I think it was very overrated.
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Hey, minority opinions unite! I agree with Elementary over Sherlock. Even with all the modernization and changes, Miller's Holmes was both recognizable and enjoyable. The characterization of Holmes as a "high-functioning sociopath" or whoever they put it in Sherlock is light years from canonical accuracy. Holmes has no respect for rank or class distinction, but he's not a sociopath. On the contrary, his interactions with clients like with Violet Hunter, Helen Stoner, or Jabez Wilson are kindly and humane. He doesn't always care about pretty manners, but he's nothing like whatever they had Cumberbatch doing.
Brett is my favorite by far, I'd put Miller second, and even with all the flaws their respective shows have (mostly lack of money and time), I'd also have Howard, Cushing and Wilmer on my list. I hated Sherlock, so, no. And I've heard nothing but good things about the Soviet Holmes series with Vasily Livanov, and I see his name has popped up again here, so I guess I'd better track it down.
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I agree with this list (BBC Sherlock with Benedict is my favorite show of all time) but where is Robert Downey jr?
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On the list for Holmes in the movies, which is not this list.
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S
Robert Downey was totally wrong in so many ways, that when I saw the villain Mark Strong, I instantly thought he would make a better Holmes.
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C
Basil Rathbone should be rated number one !
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He isn't a television Holmes.
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P
Jeremy Brett was the #1 tv version of Sherlock Holmes, he was superbly suited to the role and ITV did a great job of bringing a lot of the stories to life, they must have spent quite a bit on every episode. Among my favourites were The Resident Patient, The Greek Interpreter, Silver Blaze and The Devil's Foot.
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It was to be expected that this list would not include perhaps one of the greatest depiction of Sherlock Holmes, namely the Soviet/Russian actor Vasily Livanov. Even sir Laurence Olivier (who has played Moriarty) stated once that Livanov is perhaps the greatest version of the world-famous sleuth. So, do consider that Livanov could easily be among the top three actors here.
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V
Correct, he is the best!
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The Soviet series starring Vasily Livanov was also pretty good. Livanov even received the Order of the British Empire.
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You don't even have to read the article, people. Just read the title; that's enough. Top TV versions, not movie versions. That means no Rathbone and no Downey.
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X
The article is for TV Holmes', that's why no Rathbone or Downey
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J
Seriously people Basil Rathbone not even in the top 10 is ridiculous
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He's a movie Holmes, not a tv Holmes.
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J
Basil Rathbone, with out a doubt and the wonderful Nigel Bruce as Watson, nothing to touch them!
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Rathbone only played Holmes in the movies, and Bruce is an awful, awful Watson. A total jam Watson.
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J
Yes, in the Basil Rathbone movies (again, they were just plain ridiculous), Nigel Bruce played Watson as a buffoon. Not his fault, I'm sure that's how the part is written, but still, he was portrayed as a joke.
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It really is a shame, because Nigel Bruce was a solid actor and could have been a good Watson. He was betrayed by the writing. It's painful to watch. And I totally agree with you about Rathbone. He's great as Holmes, and most of his movies were silly nonsense. I can't help but mourn the opportunity lost.
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The Soviet film adaptation of Sherlock Holmes was also superb, the acting was wonderful.And by the way, I think the best music in the film is the Soviet one.
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D
Basil Rathbone in the first two big production movies was Sherlock Holmes . His films are constantly shown on TV because they remain fresh, even though not set in the right period . Bretts series now look tired and slow and he grew hammier as the series progressed . Cumberbatch was very good and are still very watchable, but they did end up getting too clever for their own good.
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I think the best Sherlock Holmes & basal rathburn Nigal Bruce was the overall best Holmes’s & Watson in 1940/45 or Jeremy Brett & Edward hard wick
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To leave Basil Rathbone off this list totally invalidates it, imo.
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Television versions. Rathbone only portrayed Holmes in movies.
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D
Jeremy Brett as number one is a total no brainer, but the other characters, Watson in particular, were also so true to the books. Watson in the Basil Rathbone Holmes was a sad bumbling character, quite unlike the original Conan Doyle character.
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Jeremy Brett is the absolute perfect portrayal along with his Dr. Watson player by Edward Hardwicke (mainly!) But I think Tom Baker's portrayal should have been mentioned here
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R
As well as the egregious omission of Basil Rathbone, where oh where is the superb Robert Stephens? Calamitous list: You look but you don't see!
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Basil rathbone and Nigel Bruce set the bar too high starting in 1939
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Benedict Cumberbatch for the #1
Brett dumbed down the character.
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Have you heard of Basil Rathbone?
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Basil rathbone ,not on the list WHY
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Basil rathbone
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Er.. There's only one sherlock Holmes dear boy the great basil Rathbone..
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Perhaps, but not on TV
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No Basil Rathbone? Brett is no 1. But not having Basil at no.3 voids this list.
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It's TV Holmes' not film
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Mr. Cumberbatch.
Recent show, "Watson" NO. Just because you add allusions does not make it Sherlock Holmes.
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