This 2010s Sherlock Unfairly Forgotten — But Outshines Cumberbatch, Downey Jr.
The character turned out to be much deeper.
It’s no secret that the Sherlock of Benedict Cumberbatch and the Sherlock Holmes of Robert Downey Jr. are considered the most popular modern versions of the detective. But those actors weren’t the only ones to take on the role in the 2010s.
For seven seasons, the show Elementary built a devoted audience. It gave viewers a very different Sherlock — more human and vulnerable.
The Series Elementary
From 2012 to 2019, Elementary featured Jonny Lee Miller as a psychologically complex Sherlock Holmes who remains one of the most distinctive portrayals to date. In this version, the famous detective is a recovering drug addict working with the NYPD. Miller played Sherlock as a man whose brilliance coexists with personal demons.
Unlike classic adaptations, the show begins with Holmes relocating from London to New York after rehab. He is accompanied by Joan Watson (played by Lucy Liu), who eventually becomes his partner.
This twist — turning Watson into a woman — instantly set Elementary apart from other adaptations. Notably, the role of Moriarty was also given to a woman — Natalie Dormer.
While Sherlock dazzled audiences with stylish visuals and fast-paced plots, Elementary focused on character development and slow, methodical crime-solving. The series may not have reached the same level of fame as the British show or Guy Ritchie's films, but it arguably captured the spirit of Conan Doyle’s character more faithfully than any other.
Jonny Lee Miller’s Sherlock
Miller’s greatest strength lies in the gradual emotional evolution of his Sherlock. Unlike Cumberbatch’s detached portrayal, his character constantly changes. Viewers watch the detective struggle to build relationships and confront his past.
That’s why many fans believe that while this version of the detective may have remained in the shadows of more mainstream adaptations, it is one of the most emotionally rich and nuanced portrayals to date.
