Cover Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series ‘Sherlock’ (Photo by Matthew Horwood/GC Images)
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series ‘Sherlock’ (Photo by Matthew Horwood/GC Images)
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Each of these actors has brought something different to the role, making the character richer and more dynamic with every iteration
It’s impressive how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 56 short stories and four novels have become a bottomless trove of inspiration for modern filmmakers and showrunners. This year alone there are three Sherlock spin-offs: from yet another play on the famed detective’s doctor sidekick (Watson) to a pastiche on his family life (Sherlock & Daughter) to Young Sherlock, which is an adaptation of an adaptation of the Sherlock franchise. Even Benedict Cumberbatch who ended his Sherlock run in 2017 still gets hounded by questions about the role. (By the way, he’s willing to put the deerstalker back on if the script is up to par.)
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For over 138 years, the world’s most famous detective has seen countless adaptations, each adding a unique spin to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant but enigmatic creation. Few characters in literary history have been portrayed as many times as Sherlock Holmes. While many actors have donned the mantle, only a handful have truly embodied the essence of genius detective. Here are the six definitive performances that have shaped how we see this character on screen.
1. Jeremy Brett, the definitive Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1994)
For purists, Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes. His performance in the Granada TV series remains the gold standard for accuracy and depth. With his sharp features, piercing gaze and theatrical intensity, Brett captured the detective’s intellect, eccentricities and mercurial nature to a T. His Holmes was brilliant but often emotionally distant, fully embracing the character’s obsessive tendencies and social awkwardness. No other portrayal has adhered so faithfully to Doyle’s vision, making Brett’s Holmes the definitive literary adaptation.
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, a genius for the 21st century
Sherlock (2010–2017)
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Holmes is a high-functioning sociopath for the digital age. Set in modern London, BBC's Sherlock reimagines Holmes as a fast-talking, technology-savvy genius who navigates 21st-century crime with the same razor-sharp deduction as his Victorian counterpart. Cumberbatch’s portrayal highlights Holmes’ intellectual arrogance, emotional detachment and underlying loneliness, making him both fascinating and frustrating—and also very endearing. His chemistry with Martin Freeman’s Watson is electric, and the series’ inventive storytelling has solidified Sherlock as the most iconic contemporary take on the character.
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3. Robert Downey Jr., action Sherlock
Sherlock Holmes (2009), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Robert Downey Jr. presents a grittier, more physical Sherlock, which matches Guy Ritchie’s high-octane vision. While still intellectually formidable, this Holmes is also a bare-knuckle brawler who uses his mind to predict and outmanoeuvre opponents in combat. Downey Jr. injects charm and mischief into the role, bringing a swashbuckling energy rarely seen in other portrayals. His dynamic with Jude Law’s Watson is one of the film’s strongest elements, emphasising their camaraderie and playful banter. RDJ manages to inject his signature wit as well as some physical comedy into the character.
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4. Peter Cushing, Gothic detective
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), BBC’s Sherlock Holmes (1968)
Yes, Grand Toff Markin played Sherlock Holmes, and he played it opposite Christopher Lee, who played Sir Henry Baskerville.
Peter Cushing’s Holmes is sharply intelligent, ruthless and tinged with gothic horror. Best known for his Hammer Films adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles, Cushing brought a sense of urgency and intensity to the role, making his Holmes more aggressive and driven than some of his predecessors. He returned to the role for 16 episodes in the 1968 BBC series. His take has matured and he offered a colder, more analytical detective who could be intimidating yet compelling. This version is a darker, more suspenseful take on the character and further solidified Cushing's reputation as a stellar actor.
5. Basil Rathbone, the classic Sherlock
Sherlock Holmes film series (1939 to 1946)
Basil Rathbone’s Holmes is elegant, methodical and deeply iconic. His portrayal defined Sherlock Holmes for an entire generation, particularly during the 1940s when he starred in a series of films that transported the detective into contemporary wartime settings. Even up to now, he remains a benchmark for future Holmes. Rathbone’s commanding presence and calm, deductive brilliance made him the definitive Holmes of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His performance makes some of the deviations from Doyle’s canon more forgivable.
6. Ian McKellen, a vulnerable Holmes
Mr. Holmes (2015)
One of the most unique takes on the character, Mr. Holmes shows Sherlock Holmes without his usual trappings. He prefers a cigar instead of a pipe and no longer has his keen mind. Ian McKellen plays an elderly detective grappling with memory loss and the decline of his once-unparalleled mind. Set in 1947, the film presents a deeply personal exploration of the detective as he struggles to recall his final unsolved case. McKellen’s performance is poignant and introspective, offering a rare glimpse at Holmes as a frail, fallible human being rather than an untouchable genius. Beyond bringing Doyle’s stories, this film examines the detective’s legacy and mortality.
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