'Young Sherlock' Who? 5 Best Incarnations of the Cult Detective in Movies & TV Series
From iconic images to unique ones that have already been forgotten.
Sherlock Holmes is the literary hero who has appeared in more movies and series than any other character.
In honor of the release of Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock series, we looked back at the five best on-screen portrayals of the great detective.
5. Jonny Lee Miller in 'Elementary' (2012-2019)
For seven seasons, actor Jonny Lee Miller portrayed a modern-day version of Sherlock Holmes in the series Elementary. Unfortunately, the show was overshadowed by the British Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and was not properly appreciated.
Set in present-day New York City, Elementary stars Lucy Liu as Watson and portrays Holmes as a brilliant detective who is slowly but surely battling drug addiction.
The duo takes on the most complex and captivating cases, and the investigations are so engaging that fans couldn't tear themselves away from the screen.
4. Robert Downey Jr. in 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009)
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Of all the adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, Guy Ritchie's were perhaps the most removed from the literary source material. However, this unconventional approach to adaptation made the detective's story daring, original, and stylish.
Robert Downey Jr. was the perfect fit for the egotistical, charismatic, and constantly self-challenging Sherlock Holmes. Along with Watson, played by Jude Law, Holmes would embark on dangerous adventures for fun, turning the city into a deadly amusement park.
Unfortunately, Guy Ritchie only directed two movies, even though his Sherlock Holmes was beloved by viewers and could have easily become a franchise.
3. Christopher Plummer in 'Murder by Decree' (1979)
Christopher Plummer has built a distinguished film career, often portraying characters from classic English literature, including Sherlock Holmes.
In the 1979 movie Murder by Decree, director Bob Clark reimagines the investigation into the murders committed by the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper. Although the movie is dated, Plummer's performance as Holmes is outstanding, capturing every nuance of the character's complex nature.
Furthermore, Plummer's pairing with James Mason as Watson is excellent casting, as the two actors' chemistry is the movie's anchor.
2. Michael Caine in 'Without a Clue' (1988)
This time, the character strays far from the classic. Michael Caine plays an alcoholic actor who impersonates Sherlock Holmes to help his friend Dr. Watson, played by Ben Kingsley.
Caine's character is a deceitful scoundrel, incapable of solving even the most basic case – the very opposite of the classic Holmes.
In the parody genre, this is the only incarnation of Holmes worthy of every award. Furthermore, Without a Clue offers an interesting take on the beloved story of the famous characters by transforming a serious detective story into a light comedy.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Sherlock' (2010-2017)
Let's be honest, Benedict Cumberbatch brought Sherlock Holmes back into pop culture. He made hordes of fans eager for the new season of Sherlock, even more so than for Christmas.
The BBC series made Cumberbatch a major star because the talented and charismatic young British actor was able to make the new Sherlock Holmes unique while retaining the literary hero's essential qualities.
