Sherlock Holmes Is Officially Taking Over Detective TV for the 2020s

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Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced this character in 1887. Over the next forty years, the author continued to write stories about him, often while his wife was unwell. Doyle loved creating new and clever mysteries for the character to solve, and many of these stories became classics, later adapted for various media.

People have long argued about whether Sherlock Holmes stories are best enjoyed as movies or TV shows. Some believe his adventures are grand enough for the cinema, while others point to the way the stories naturally unfold in episodes – a format that suits television better. Currently, it seems like the TV argument is winning, with Sherlock Holmes and his world appearing more and more on smaller screens.

Sherlock Holmes Has Traditionally Thrived on the Big Screen

Many people assume Sherlock Holmes was always intended for movies, given how successful he’s been on the big screen. Films like those demonstrated the potential for massive blockbusters with a bold vision for the character. While fans eagerly await a continuation of that film series, they’re exploring other versions of Sherlock Holmes in the meantime.

As a total cinema fan, I’ve noticed Sherlock Holmes keeps getting fresh takes on the big screen, and people seem to love them! Take Enola Holmes on Netflix, for example – it’s a really fun series focusing on Sherlock’s sister, inspired by the books. Then there’s Mr. Holmes, which is a fascinating look at Sherlock as an older man, something we hadn’t really seen before. It’s cool to see these new angles on a classic character.

It’s no surprise Sherlock Holmes quickly became popular with movie audiences – he seemed perfectly suited for the big screen. However, adapting his stories for film isn’t always easy. Many of the original tales are either too short to make a full-length movie or filmmakers choose to retell the most well-known adventures instead. Although all sixty classic Sherlock Holmes stories have been adapted at least once, some receive far more attention than others.

It’s understandable that adapting this story for film presents challenges, but these limitations sometimes compromise the core identity of the Sherlock Holmes series. Often, filmmakers end up creating something quite different from the original material to make it work as a movie.

We see similar things happen on television, but it’s great when classic stories are incorporated. TV offers the best of both worlds – a place for countless stories, and a chance to really delve into characters like Sherlock Holmes. In some ways, the character actually works better in the television format.

Sherlock’s Transition to Television Has Been a Notable One

It appears the entertainment industry is realizing Sherlock Holmes works well on television, as the character has found success in that format before. For instance, Elementary was very popular and updated many of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories for a contemporary audience.

The show took a big chance with its unique idea, even including one episode focused on drug use. Many thought a modern take on Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t succeed, but the series found a way to develop and improve over time.

Sherlock Holmes seemed to inspire a wave of similar shows, and Elementary was one of them. Like Sherlock, it updated the classic detective stories for a modern setting. However, Elementary differed from many crime dramas by opting for longer seasons with many episodes, each running for a shorter time, and telling one continuous story throughout the season rather than presenting self-contained cases.

The approach proved very successful. Elementary thrived because of its funny and engaging stories, along with its familiar ‘case-of-the-week’ format, which is a strong point for crime shows.

This pattern held true globally. While successful, this wasn’t a peak period for the Sherlock Holmes franchise on television, and it certainly wasn’t the first time the character had found success there. Historically, Sherlock Holmes has often been popular in crime and mystery shows – particularly in Britain, where that type of programming is well-loved. He joined other famous detectives like Poirot and Miss Marple, with these classic series being shown around the world.

Classic Sherlock Holmes adaptations like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, along with several TV series from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, paved the way for today’s shows. These earlier productions helped creators learn what worked and didn’t work when bringing the famous detective to the screen.

Years of appearances have helped this character become the icon he is now, establishing him as a television staple. And now, in the 2020s, all that effort is finally paying off.

The Sherlock Holmes Franchise Drives Modern Streaming

The 2020s have seen a surge of shows inspired by Sherlock Holmes, continuing the character’s long-running popularity. One standout is Prime Video’s Young Sherlock, praised as a particularly creative project from Guy Ritchie. The series focuses on the early days of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, exploring their relationship before they became well-known rivals. This fresh take on their dynamic has resonated with viewers and is proving to be a hit with fans.

The new series features Doctor Watson as the central character, continuing the trend of updating the classic stories for a modern audience. This approach allows for a more visually striking and unique type of mystery. It proves how versatile the Sherlock Holmes universe is and suggests we’ll see even bolder reimaginings in the future. While different in style, both Young Sherlock and this new Watson series are based on the same source material.

Honestly, I’m still seeing a ton of creative energy around this character – it’s really impressive! And get this: there’s an animated project in development. It’s based on the Unexpurgated Adventures books and is being spearheaded by David Lipman. What’s interesting is they’re clearly aiming for a more adult audience with this one, which could be a smart move.

A live-action TV series focusing on Moriarty is also in development. The show aims to refresh the classic detective genre, but with a unique twist: the villain is the main character.

Sherlock Holmes is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity, perhaps more than ever before. While movie adaptations may still happen, he’s clearly found a strong home on television with some exciting new approaches. Plus, the show Young Sherlock is coming back, allowing for even bolder and different storylines than we’ve seen in the films, as creator Ritchie experiments with fresh ideas.

This character has a promising future, continually evolving and currently enjoying a golden age as the world’s most brilliant detective.

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2026-06-18 14:37