7 Best Sherlock Holmes TV Series Of All Time (#1 Is Unbeatable)

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Sherlock Holmes first appeared in 1887 in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, A Study in Scarlet, and quickly became a beloved detective. Although Agatha Christie’s novels sold in greater numbers overall, Sherlock Holmes remains more iconic than her famous detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Over the years, Holmes has been portrayed in various adaptations, ranging from classic television series to modern films like those directed by Guy Ritchie, and the popular BBC show starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Many adaptations take inspiration from the core character of Holmes, rather than strictly following the plots of Doyle’s original stories.

Leaving aside shows inspired by Sherlock Holmes, like House, here are seven of the best TV adaptations that directly feature the famous detective and his stories.

7) Watson (2025)

Though the TV show House drew inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, it wasn’t a direct retelling of the story. But a new medical drama debuting in 2025 is a Holmes adaptation, similar to House, except this time the main doctor is actually John Watson.

Following the CBS series Elementary, this show offered another take on Sherlock Holmes, but with a twist: it focused on Dr. Watson, a practicing doctor, a year after Holmes’s apparent death in The Final Problem. The story centers on Watson investigating the possibility that Holmes’s nemesis, Moriarty, actually survived. The series ran for two seasons and received an average critic score of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes.

6) Sherlock Holmes (1968)

The 1960s BBC series Sherlock Holmes is notable for featuring Peter Cushing in the lead role before he became famous for Star Wars. The series wasn’t continuous; Douglas Wilmer played Holmes from 1964 to 1965, and Cushing took on the role in 1968. Throughout both parts, Nigel Stock consistently played Dr. Watson.

This Sherlock Holmes series featured the detective solving cases for all sorts of clients, from ordinary people to royalty. Each episode drew over 11 million viewers, with numbers increasing when Peter Cushing joined the show. Though it offered solid versions of some well-known stories and Cushing delivered a strong performance, it didn’t quite reach the standard of more recent Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

5) The Irregulars (2021)

Netflix introduced a new take on the Sherlock Holmes universe with the series The Irregulars. Released around the same time as the Enola Holmes films, the show gained a following but was cancelled after just one season. It centers on a band of streetwise teens in Victorian London who assist Dr. Watson in solving mysteries involving the supernatural.

The show also features a mystery surrounding the disappearance of Sherlock Holmes. Although The Irregulars was cancelled by Netflix after just one season (eight episodes), it does provide an explanation of what happened to him, offering viewers some resolution. The series is critically well-received, with an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

4) Elementary (2012-2019)

Before the recent CBS series featuring Dr. Watson as a woman following Sherlock Holmes’ disappearance, the network presented a different take on the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories. In Elementary, Jonny Lee Miller plays Sherlock Holmes, and Lucy Liu stars as his partner, Dr. Joan Watson. This version updates the story to modern times and notably reimagines Dr. Watson’s gender.

Sherlock Holmes, a recovering addict and former advisor to Scotland Yard, now works as a consultant detective with the NYPD in New York City. Interestingly, actor Jonny Lee Miller has played Holmes in more installments – 154 episodes – than any other actor, surpassing the previous record holder, Eille Norwood, who appeared in 47 silent films. The show’s first season received critical acclaim, and the series as a whole boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3) Young Sherlock (2026)

The new series Young Sherlock recently premiered on Prime Video and quickly became popular. It received positive reviews, earning an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and viewers. The show also immediately climbed to the top of Prime Video’s list of most-watched TV shows.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays a young Sherlock Holmes in this series, portraying him as a rebellious 19-year-old still years away from becoming the famous detective we know. The first season follows his initial investigation, which quickly unravels into a worldwide conspiracy. All eight episodes were released on March 4, 2026, and viewers are hoping Prime Video renews the show for another season.

2) Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)

A highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes television series premiered in 1984, and remained one of the most beloved adaptations for nearly thirty years. Jeremy Brett starred as Holmes, and while David Burke initially played Dr. Watson, Edward Hardwicke took over the role for the remainder of the show’s run. The series continued until Brett’s death in 1995.

This Sherlock Holmes series is widely considered the most complete adaptation ever made for television or film. It covered almost all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories – every one except for 19, including 17 short stories and the novels A Study in Scarlet and The Valley of Fear. With a total of 41 episodes, five of which were extended, this series is known for its accuracy to the original books and is often seen as the best Sherlock Holmes TV show ever made.

1) Sherlock (2010-2017)

For many fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, the 1980s series remains the most iconic. However, the BBC’s Sherlock is widely considered the best adaptation. While it doesn’t stick to the original stories as closely as some, or feature the most cases, it excels in every other area: production quality, engaging stories, superb acting, and compelling mysteries. Importantly, the series maintained its high quality throughout its run.

Benedict Cumberbatch starred as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson in the series Sherlock. Though hugely popular, the show only ran for four seasons, totaling 13 episodes, each focusing on carefully chosen cases. These included classic mysteries like A Study in Pink, The Final Problem, and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sherlock received critical acclaim, winning a Peabody Award in 2011, and earning an impressive 47 BAFTA nominations (winning 4) and 39 Primetime Emmy nominations (with 9 wins).

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2026-03-09 17:11