10 Greatest Sherlock Holmes Actors of All Time, Ranked

2 weeks ago 12

Published Mar 21, 2026, 4:20 PM EDT

Anja Djuricic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1992. Her first interest in film started very early, as she learned to speak English by watching Disney animated movies (and many, many reruns). Anja soon became inspired to learn more foreign languages to understand more movies, so she entered the Japanese language and literature Bachelor Studies at the University of Belgrade.

Anja is also one of the founders of the DJ duo Vazda Garant, specializing in underground electronic music influenced by various electronic genres.

Anja loves to do puzzles in her spare time, pet cats wherever she meets them, and play The Sims. Anja's Letterboxd four includes Memories of Murder, Parasite, Nope, and The Road to El Dorado.

Believe it or not, Sherlock Holmes is a Guinness World Record holder as the most portrayed literary (human) character in film and TV history—he's been portrayed over 250 times by more than 75 actors. Truly, from the days of silent film until the modern streaming age, many actors have tackled the challenge of becoming Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective, and some have become the definitive versions for their generation.

Holmes is cold and arrogant on the outside but vulnerable and full of hidden depths beneath the facade; we can clearly see so in the latest iteration of the character in Young Sherlock, where Hero Fiennes Tiffin (successfully) portrays Sherlock at 19 years old. His portrayal is bound to be a part of the narrow canon, but he might still have a long way to go in being one of the ten greatest Sherlock Holmes actors of all time. But who are those top ten, then? Based on critical and audience consensus, as well as popularity, these actors could be it.

10 Ian McKellen

'Mr. Holmes' (2015)

Sherlock Holmes looking intently in Mr. Holmes

There's rarely a person out there that dislikes Ian McKellen; he has been a part of most of our upbringings with at least one of his characters, whether it's Lord of the Rings' Gandalf or X-Men's Magneto. Because of his iconic status, it's only natural that McKellen got the chance to portray the most famous English character ever, Sherlock Holmes. In 2015, he starred as the famous detective in the feature film Mr. Holmes, which focuses less on Holmes investigating and figuring others out and more on him as an aging man coming to terms with his memory and identity.

Bill Condon's Mr. Holmes was based on Mitch Cullin's novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, and it follows Holmes as a retired 93-year-old detective, keeping bees in the countryside while trying to deal with an onset of dementia and its impact on his once-agile mind. Unhappy with Watson's recounting of their final case, he tries to remember it through flashbacks and pieces things together. It's more of a meditation on old age and death than a traditional Sherlock Holmes mystery, but McKellen gave him a dimension we've not seen yet—a vulnerable, human part that we know is there but rarely get to see.

9 Christopher Lee

'Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace' (1962)

Christopher Lee as Sherlock Holmes sitting and holding a paper in Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace

After Gandalf, we have his "colleague," Saruman, joining the ranks as a Sherlock Holmes—Christopher Lee. Notably, he holds a unique distinction of having starred as both Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes in his projects; he is, however, most known for portraying Holmes in 1962's Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace. Although Lee and director Terence Fisher expressed dissatisfaction with the film's final version, Lee believes his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes stayed true to the character in the novels, stating he gave his best effort to portray the detective as the challenging and intelligent man we've all seen in Doyle's works.

In Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, Holmes and his usual companion, Dr. John Watson (Thorley Walters), are chasing Holmes' nemesis, Moriarty (Hans Söhnker), to retrieve a necklace he stole, which was reportedly worn by Cleopatra. While the film lacks oomph due to unnecessary and somewhat bizarre dubbing (Lee is given a Mid-Atlantic American accent), it's a fun crime caper. As the 20th century's reigning king of Gothic horror, Lee brought an undeniable gravitas to everything he starred in, and his role(s) as Sherlock Holmes are fascinating additions to his lasting legacy.

8 Christopher Plummer

'Silver Blaze' (1977), 'Murder by Decree' (1979)

Christopher Plummer and James Mason in 'Murder by Decree'

Christopher Plummer always understood transformation and had it in him to be a villain as much as a hero, but there was always an inexplicable warmth exuding from him, potentially because of how much he truly loved acting, theater, and performing. That's why his attempt as Sherlock Holmes made the famous detective feel… Empathetic. Rather than adopting Holmes's condescending attitude, like many of the other actors, Plummer found a sense of justice and moral outrage within the detective—much like Hero Fiennes Tiffin was able to in Young Sherlock.

In Murder by Decree, Sherlock Holmes is in Whitechapel in 1888 and investigating the Jack the Ripper murders alongside his assistant, Watson (James Mason). With their investigation leading them into a conspiracy that implicates powerful figures all protecting each other, Plummer decides to give Holmes some righteous fury, making him "passionate and caring," as the actor himself had said. Many actors playing Sherlock dial up the arrogance, but Plummer shows that behind the intellect is a man who genuinely cares about justice for the powerless. His performance is nuanced, theatrical, and stands apart from more conventional interpretations—very Plummer-like in so many ways.

7 Robert Downey Jr.

'Sherlock Holmes' (2009), 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011)

close up of Sherlock Holmes looking full of himself in Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. could convince us if he were playing an inanimate object, but the selection for Sherlock Holmes is as rigorous as the selection for James Bond—the actor has to have that certain something, some bravado, boldness, cheek, and nerve to say half of the things Holmes does in Doyle's works; RDJ is undoubtedly the man to portray him, then, as he has plenty of those things. Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes ruffled some feathers when it came out because it was full of action and grit people otherwise never expected from a gentlemanly character like Holmes. RDJ is to Holmes what Daniel Craig was to Bond, giving the character a raw side with a lot more humanity and versatility.

Ritchie directed RDJ twice as Sherlock Holmes, and rumors of a third film keep swirling, though both men are as busy as they can be with other projects. RDJ's Holmes is a bohemian eccentric who practices martial arts, conducts home-lab experiments in his underwear, and possesses manic energy that seeps out beyond the walls of his Victorian Baker Street home. Downey's physicality introduces a new dimension to Holmes as an action hero, revolutionizing the character by balancing chaos, order, brilliance, and self-destructiveness.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Which MCU Hero
Are You? A Personality Quiz · 10 Questions Six heroes. One destiny. Answer 10 questions to discover which Marvel Cinematic Universe hero shares your personality, values, and fighting spirit. Will you swing, fly, or thunder your way to glory?

🕷️Spider-Man

😈Daredevil

🤖Iron Man

💀Punisher

⚡Thor

🛡️Cap

Begin Quiz →

What drives you to do what's right? Choose the answer that feels most like you.

AWith great power comes great responsibility — I protect those who can't protect themselves. BMy faith and my conscience — I believe justice must be served, even in the dark. CLegacy and ego, honestly — but I've learned that others depend on me now. DThe system failed. Someone has to make sure the guilty actually pay. EDuty to the innocent and honour to my name — I was born to protect realms. FThe values I was raised with — freedom, decency, and never backing down from a bully.

Next Question →

It's 2 AM. Where are you?

ASwinging between skyscrapers, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood. BRunning rooftops in Hell's Kitchen, listening for trouble. CIn my lab, upgrading my suit with a cold cup of coffee nearby. DStaking out a target I've been tracking for three weeks. ESomewhere between the stars, or at a feast that got out of hand. FOn a morning run — I was up at 4, actually. Couldn't sleep.

Next Question →

How do you handle a villain who keeps escaping justice?

AWeb them up and leave them for the police — again. BBuild an airtight case and dismantle their entire operation from the inside. CDeploy a containment system I designed specifically for them. Tech wins. DMake sure they don't escape a third time. Permanently. EChallenge them to single combat. Honour demands a decisive end. FRally allies, adapt the plan, and bring them in — by the book, even if it's hard.

Next Question →

How do you feel about keeping a secret identity?

AEssential — my loved ones would be in danger if anyone found out who I am. BCritical — the mask protects my mission as much as my face. COverrated — I announced myself to the world and I'd do it again. DI'm a ghost. The less people know about me, the better. EMy name is known across the Nine Realms. There's no hiding it. FI don't hide — but I understand why some need to. Transparency builds trust.

Next Question →

You've lost someone important because of your heroism. How do you carry that?

AWith guilt that never fully goes away — it pushes me to do better, every single day. BI channel it into purpose — their memory is the reason I keep fighting. CI buried myself in work for years. I'm only recently learning to face it. DIt transformed me completely. I'm not the same person I was before. EWith warrior's grief — I honour them by fighting with everything I have. FI keep moving forward. Stopping means letting the loss win.

Next Question →

What's your role when working with a team?

AThe enthusiastic wildcard who somehow makes it work — and keeps the mood up. BThe strategist who works best alone but shows up when it matters most. CThe one who funds it, equips it, and occasionally takes over the whole operation. DI don't do teams. I'm more effective operating solo, on my terms. EThe heavy hitter — I crash in, draw fire, and turn the tide of battle. FThe leader — I earn trust, build the plan, and make sure no one gets left behind.

Next Question →

Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge?

AClearly — I don't kill, and I wrestle with that line constantly. BI try to hold the line, but I've come terrifyingly close to crossing it. CPractically — I do what's necessary to protect people, including hard calls. DI crossed that line long ago. What I do is justice — the system just won't admit it. EIn battle, victory is justice. Mercy is earned — not automatic. FFirmly. The moment we abandon our principles, we become what we fight against.

Next Question →

When you're not saving the world, what does life look like?

ATrying to juggle school, a part-time job, and not failing my friends. BWorking as a lawyer by day, fighting for justice in court and on the streets. CRunning a global company, attending galas, and pretending I'm sleeping enough. DQuiet. Isolated. Surviving with a clear mission and no distractions. ENavigating a bizarre and fascinating mortal world — coffee is extraordinary. FAdapting to a world decades ahead of everything I knew. Quietly, stubbornly.

Next Question →

What keeps you up at night?

AThe people I couldn't save — and the ones I might not reach in time tomorrow. BWhether the monster I fight every night is starting to live inside me too. CThe threats I can see coming and whether my tech is actually good enough. DNothing. Silence is the only peace I get. I've made my choices. EWhether I'm truly worthy — of the hammer, of the throne, of the people I protect. FA world where no one stands up anymore. Where good people do nothing.

Next Question →

The battle is lost. You're outnumbered, outgunned, and exhausted. What do you do? This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ACrack a joke to buy a second, then find the one web shot that changes everything. BBlock out everything except the sound of the next threat — and keep going. CActivate the emergency protocol I built for exactly this scenario. Always have a plan. DI don't accept that it's lost. I keep fighting until I physically cannot anymore. ECall the lightning. All of it. The storm answers to me. FPick up the shield. Stand up. Because as long as I can stand, it's not over.

See My Result →

Your Result Your MCU Hero Is Revealed

Based on your answers, the Marvel hero who matches your spirit, values, and instincts is…

🕷️ Spider-Man

You carry the weight of the world on shoulders that are younger than they should have to be. Funny, loyal, and endlessly self-sacrificing, you do the right thing not because it's easy — but because no one else will. You understand that responsibility isn't a burden you choose; it's one that finds you. Whether it's a neighbourhood mugging or a multiverse crisis, you show up. Peter Parker's lesson — that great power demands great responsibility — isn't a slogan to you. It's the code you live by, even when it costs you everything.

😈 Daredevil

You fight in the shadows between law and chaos, guided by a fierce moral compass that refuses to let the guilty walk free. Deeply principled and intensely focused, you use every tool available — your mind, your body, your faith — to protect those the system overlooks. You've looked into the darkness and chosen not to become it, though the line has never been easy. Matt Murdock's duality — champion in the courtroom, devil in the alley — mirrors your own: relentless, conflicted, and unwilling to stop.

🤖 Iron Man

Brilliant, driven, and occasionally insufferable — but always the person who solves the unsolvable problem. You lead with your mind and back it up with resources, innovation, and a stubbornness that borders on heroic. You started out looking out for yourself, but somewhere along the way the world became your responsibility. Tony Stark's arc — from ego to sacrifice — is your arc too. You build, you plan, and when the moment comes, you're willing to give everything. Because in the end, you're Iron Man.

💀 The Punisher

You've been through fire that would break most people — and it did change you, completely. What's left is unyielding, relentless, and operating by a code that the world may not agree with but that you've forged in grief and conviction. You don't ask for forgiveness, and you don't expect gratitude. You see a corrupt, broken world and you've decided to do something about it, consequences be damned. Frank Castle's war is born from love twisted by loss — and so is yours. Uncompromising and unflinching.

⚡ Thor

Powerful, proud, and on a lifelong journey to become worthy of the legend you carry. You lead with strength but have learned — sometimes painfully — that true greatness comes from humility, growth, and protecting others rather than seeking glory. You're larger than life, yet more vulnerable than you let on. Thor's story is one of transformation: from arrogant prince to worthy king, from isolated warrior to beloved protector. You bring the storm when it's needed — and the warmth when it matters just as much.

🛡️ Captain America

You believe in something bigger than yourself — and you fight for it even when the world has moved on and nobody else will. You don't bully the small guy, and you never stop when it gets hard. Steve Rogers didn't become a hero when he got the serum — he was always one. So were you. Your strength isn't in your fists; it's in your refusal to compromise what's right, no matter the cost. In a world full of people taking the easy road, you're the one who picks up the shield and stands up — every single time.

↩ Retake Quiz

Which MCU Hero Are You?

Marvel Cinematic UniverseWhich MCU HeroAre You?A Personality Quiz · 10 QuestionsSix heroes. One destiny. Answer 10 questions to discover which Marvel Cinematic Universe hero shares your personality, values, and fighting spirit. Will you swing, fly, or thunder your way to glory?

🕷️Spider-Man

😈Daredevil

🤖Iron Man

💀Punisher

⚡Thor

🛡️Cap

Begin Quiz →

What drives you to do what's right?Choose the answer that feels most like you.

AWith great power comes great responsibility — I protect those who can't protect themselves.BMy faith and my conscience — I believe justice must be served, even in the dark.CLegacy and ego, honestly — but I've learned that others depend on me now.DThe system failed. Someone has to make sure the guilty actually pay.EDuty to the innocent and honour to my name — I was born to protect realms.FThe values I was raised with — freedom, decency, and never backing down from a bully.

Next Question →

It's 2 AM. Where are you?

ASwinging between skyscrapers, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood.BRunning rooftops in Hell's Kitchen, listening for trouble.CIn my lab, upgrading my suit with a cold cup of coffee nearby.DStaking out a target I've been tracking for three weeks.ESomewhere between the stars, or at a feast that got out of hand.FOn a morning run — I was up at 4, actually. Couldn't sleep.

Next Question →

How do you handle a villain who keeps escaping justice?

AWeb them up and leave them for the police — again.BBuild an airtight case and dismantle their entire operation from the inside.CDeploy a containment system I designed specifically for them. Tech wins.DMake sure they don't escape a third time. Permanently.EChallenge them to single combat. Honour demands a decisive end.FRally allies, adapt the plan, and bring them in — by the book, even if it's hard.

Next Question →

How do you feel about keeping a secret identity?

AEssential — my loved ones would be in danger if anyone found out who I am.BCritical — the mask protects my mission as much as my face.COverrated — I announced myself to the world and I'd do it again.DI'm a ghost. The less people know about me, the better.EMy name is known across the Nine Realms. There's no hiding it.FI don't hide — but I understand why some need to. Transparency builds trust.

Next Question →

You've lost someone important because of your heroism. How do you carry that?

AWith guilt that never fully goes away — it pushes me to do better, every single day.BI channel it into purpose — their memory is the reason I keep fighting.CI buried myself in work for years. I'm only recently learning to face it.DIt transformed me completely. I'm not the same person I was before.EWith warrior's grief — I honour them by fighting with everything I have.FI keep moving forward. Stopping means letting the loss win.

Next Question →

What's your role when working with a team?

AThe enthusiastic wildcard who somehow makes it work — and keeps the mood up.BThe strategist who works best alone but shows up when it matters most.CThe one who funds it, equips it, and occasionally takes over the whole operation.DI don't do teams. I'm more effective operating solo, on my terms.EThe heavy hitter — I crash in, draw fire, and turn the tide of battle.FThe leader — I earn trust, build the plan, and make sure no one gets left behind.

Next Question →

Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge?

AClearly — I don't kill, and I wrestle with that line constantly.BI try to hold the line, but I've come terrifyingly close to crossing it.CPractically — I do what's necessary to protect people, including hard calls.DI crossed that line long ago. What I do is justice — the system just won't admit it.EIn battle, victory is justice. Mercy is earned — not automatic.FFirmly. The moment we abandon our principles, we become what we fight against.

Next Question →

When you're not saving the world, what does life look like?

ATrying to juggle school, a part-time job, and not failing my friends.BWorking as a lawyer by day, fighting for justice in court and on the streets.CRunning a global company, attending galas, and pretending I'm sleeping enough.DQuiet. Isolated. Surviving with a clear mission and no distractions.ENavigating a bizarre and fascinating mortal world — coffee is extraordinary.FAdapting to a world decades ahead of everything I knew. Quietly, stubbornly.

Next Question →

What keeps you up at night?

AThe people I couldn't save — and the ones I might not reach in time tomorrow.BWhether the monster I fight every night is starting to live inside me too.CThe threats I can see coming and whether my tech is actually good enough.DNothing. Silence is the only peace I get. I've made my choices.EWhether I'm truly worthy — of the hammer, of the throne, of the people I protect.FA world where no one stands up anymore. Where good people do nothing.

Next Question →

The battle is lost. You're outnumbered, outgunned, and exhausted. What do you do?This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.

ACrack a joke to buy a second, then find the one web shot that changes everything.BBlock out everything except the sound of the next threat — and keep going.CActivate the emergency protocol I built for exactly this scenario. Always have a plan.DI don't accept that it's lost. I keep fighting until I physically cannot anymore.ECall the lightning. All of it. The storm answers to me.FPick up the shield. Stand up. Because as long as I can stand, it's not over.

See My Result →

Your ResultYour MCU Hero Is Revealed Based on your answers, the Marvel hero who matches your spirit, values, and instincts is…

🕷️ Spider-Man You carry the weight of the world on shoulders that are younger than they should have to be. Funny, loyal, and endlessly self-sacrificing, you do the right thing not because it's easy — but because no one else will. You understand that responsibility isn't a burden you choose; it's one that finds you. Whether it's a neighbourhood mugging or a multiverse crisis, you show up. Peter Parker's lesson — that great power demands great responsibility — isn't a slogan to you. It's the code you live by, even when it costs you everything.

😈 Daredevil You fight in the shadows between law and chaos, guided by a fierce moral compass that refuses to let the guilty walk free. Deeply principled and intensely focused, you use every tool available — your mind, your body, your faith — to protect those the system overlooks. You've looked into the darkness and chosen not to become it, though the line has never been easy. Matt Murdock's duality — champion in the courtroom, devil in the alley — mirrors your own: relentless, conflicted, and unwilling to stop.

🤖 Iron Man Brilliant, driven, and occasionally insufferable — but always the person who solves the unsolvable problem. You lead with your mind and back it up with resources, innovation, and a stubbornness that borders on heroic. You started out looking out for yourself, but somewhere along the way the world became your responsibility. Tony Stark's arc — from ego to sacrifice — is your arc too. You build, you plan, and when the moment comes, you're willing to give everything. Because in the end, you're Iron Man.

💀 The Punisher You've been through fire that would break most people — and it did change you, completely. What's left is unyielding, relentless, and operating by a code that the world may not agree with but that you've forged in grief and conviction. You don't ask for forgiveness, and you don't expect gratitude. You see a corrupt, broken world and you've decided to do something about it, consequences be damned. Frank Castle's war is born from love twisted by loss — and so is yours. Uncompromising and unflinching.

⚡ Thor Powerful, proud, and on a lifelong journey to become worthy of the legend you carry. You lead with strength but have learned — sometimes painfully — that true greatness comes from humility, growth, and protecting others rather than seeking glory. You're larger than life, yet more vulnerable than you let on. Thor's story is one of transformation: from arrogant prince to worthy king, from isolated warrior to beloved protector. You bring the storm when it's needed — and the warmth when it matters just as much.

🛡️ Captain America You believe in something bigger than yourself — and you fight for it even when the world has moved on and nobody else will. You don't bully the small guy, and you never stop when it gets hard. Steve Rogers didn't become a hero when he got the serum — he was always one. So were you. Your strength isn't in your fists; it's in your refusal to compromise what's right, no matter the cost. In a world full of people taking the easy road, you're the one who picks up the shield and stands up — every single time.

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6 Peter Cushing

'The Hound of the Baskervilles' (1959), 'Sherlock Holmes' (1968 BBC Series)

Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes sitting and looking pensive in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Peter Cushing played Holmes in no less than three different versions of the detective in a span of 25 years, and his appearance, from his gaunt facial features to his piercing stare, seemed to be in total accordance with Doyle's physical description of the well-known detective. In 1959's The Hound of the Baskervilles, he brings a sharp, intense, and energetic focus to the role, which he himself considered among his best works; Cushing was a fan of the novels and initially nervous to portray Holmes, so his dedication was as much personal as it was a trick of the trade. Later, he stepped into Holmes' shoes again in the BBC series adaptation from 1968. There, he continued to refine his interpretation, giving his best effort to achieve the same energy as in his first performance.

In The Hound of the Baskervilles—one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories—Holmes and Watson (André Morell) head out to Dartmoor to protect Sir Henry Baskerville and solve his uncle Charles' unusual death. Dartmoor is also the home of the urban legend of the Hell hound that terrorizes the area, and the Baskervilles have particular reason to be scared. Interestingly, Sir Henry is portrayed by Christopher Lee, who was himself Holmes in 1962; he and Peter Cushing starred together in many Hammer films (and not exclusively Hammer), the production company that gave us numerous British Gothic horror and fantasy films, including The Hound of the Baskervilles.

5 Jonny Lee Miller

'Elementary' (2012–2019)

Jonny Lee Miller looking thoughtful as Sherlock Holmes in Elementary

Unexpectedly or not, Jonny Lee Miller deserves a spot on the list, because after seven years of embodying a slightly different version of Sherlock Holmes, he still succeeded in honoring the character's core and personality in ways others couldn't. The 2010s gave us two contemporary—and quite different—takes on Holmes, and Miller's was a lot more profoundly human. CBS takes a couple of liberties with Elementary, shifting Sherlock Holmes to modern New York, where he works as a consultant for the NYPD while in recovery from addiction. He is still paired with Watson, but this time Watson is portrayed by Lucy Liu as a very capable, bold version of the doctor.

Elementary is one of the most watched crime procedurals of the 2010s, following Holmes solving crimes, and it's a truly great rendition of Doyle's stories, modernized to fit the times but an homage to the classics nonetheless; Miller's Sherlock is a chaotic genius, constantly under threat by his own fragile sobriety, and yet, he grows and changes over seven seasons in ways the character rarely does. Still, the most significant factor for such character development was the show's 154-episode run, giving Holmes space to grow and become a fully realized version of the character; at this point, a lack of development would be more concerning than normal.

4 Nicholas Rowe

'Young Sherlock Holmes' (1986)

Nicholas Rowe smoking a pipe in Young Sherlock Holmes

Long before Young Sherlock and Hero Fiennes Tiffin gave us a teenage version of the famous literary detective, Nicholas Rowe stepped into those very same shoes, giving a compelling vision of Holmes as a brilliant, though emotionally vulnerable, young man. Rowe's interpretation of Holmes remains influential decades later, and he even made a cameo in Mr. Holmes as an in-movie version of the detective, which is a lovely nod to his place in Holmes' history.

Young Sherlock Holmes was written by Chris Columbus and directed by Barry Levinson; it follows Holmes (Rowe) and Watson (Alan Cox) as boarding school students. They meet at their new school, become fast friends, and begin solving mysteries together, proving to be a stellar dream team of sleuths. Rowe captures the youthful genius of Holmes, in particular showing how he discovers and learns to use his deductive abilities. But, this young Holmes isn't just a genius detective—Rowe's performance is mostly remembered for its vulnerability, showing what happened before the well-known detective established a well-known cold facade. For showing us the man before the myth, Rowe earns his place among the greats.

3 Benedict Cumberbatch

'Sherlock' (2010–2017)

When BBC's Sherlock premiered in 2010, it became an international phenomenon—and Benedict Cumberbatch became a star. If anyone could have modernized and set Holmes in a contemporary world, it was Cumberbatch; fittingly with the times, his decision to portray him as a genius with sociopathic tendencies felt like it made the most sense. However, it created a certain coldness in the character, making him difficult to empathize with at times due to his treatment of those around him. Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who plays Watson, both won Emmys for their roles, cementing their position as two of the most acclaimed actors to be a part of a Sherlock Holmes adaptation.

Set in contemporary London, Sherlock finds the consulting detective as a distanced and difficult man who finds strange warmth in his friendship with Dr. Watson after they become housemates. They solve crimes along the way and deal with the wicked appearance of Moriarty, portrayed even more wickedly by Andrew Scott, who often steals the show. Sherlock is full of fast-paced dialogue and exceptional editing and is marked by Cumberbatch's commanding presence, altogether reinventing Holmes for the 21st century while remaining true to his literary roots.

2 Basil Rathbone

14 films, Including 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' (1939)

Basil Rathbone is the actor that defines Sherlock Holmes, or that many say is Sherlock Holmes, serving as an inspiration to every single actor who came after him. Across 14 feature films made between 1939 and 1946, Rathbone established the visual and vocal foundation for the character, from the notable flap cap (known as a deerstalker) and the curved smoking pipe to the pointed silhouette and the sharp vocal delivery. Though Rathbone tried to escape his Sherlockian typecasting, he continued to return to the character during the 1950s.

Rathbone's first-ever Sherlock Holmes film was The Hound of the Baskervilles, where Holmes and Watson (Nigel Bruce) go to Dartmoor to protect Sir Henry Baskerville and learn the mystery behind the Hell hound chasing after his family. The rest of the films adapt various stories, with Rathbone slowly becoming synonymous with Holmes with each new installment. Even Bruce became a template for Watson, despite taking a giddier approach to the character than many imagined him to be. Rathbone's portrayal remains a cornerstone of Holmes's legacy, and anyone who enjoys a great story about the detective has seen at least one of Rathbone's performances on the screen.

1 Jeremy Brett

'Sherlock Holmes' (1984–1994)

Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) stands out the front of 221B Baker Street wearing a tuxedo and a tophat.

What Rathbone was to Holmes in the 1930s and '40s, that was Jeremy Brett in the 1980s and '90s; for many Holmes lovers and aficionados, Brett is an easy number one. His Holmes is widely considered the gold standard, and after making 41 episodes during more than a decade, Brett definitely deserves the title. He, too, feared being typecast but still decided to return to the film series for over a decade, paying close attention to discrepancies between scripts and focusing on the smallest of details within his character. Brett himself noted that playing Holmes was harder for him than "playing Hamlet or Macbeth."

The Sherlock Holmes series consists of 36 one-hour episodes and five feature-length episodes (specials). The first installment is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, consisting of 13 episodes, and every episode and film depicts Holmes and Watson (David Burke) investigating murders and helping Scotland Yard as the only consulting detective (and assistant) in Victorian London. Brett remains remembered for his meticulous, quirky, and human portrayal of Holmes, and for that completeness, faithfulness, and sheer acting skill, he is the greatest Sherlock Holmes of all time.