Sherlock Holmes: Meet 5 Actors Who Have Played the Iconic Detective

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, Sherlock Holmesis one of the most portrayed characters in cinema and theater, and there are at least 200 different versions of the investigator.

The contemporary world has rescued this character several times in series and movies, always bringing iconic actors to the role. That’s why we’ve selected 5 actors who have already taken on the role of Sherlock Holmes for you to meet and explore new detective adventures.

Check it out:

Robert Downey Jr.

Known primarily for his role as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr. has several roles outside the world of heroes. The actor played Sherlock Holmes in two films released in 2009 and 2011, all alongside Jude Law, who plays Doctor John Watson. Today, Robert is involved in two spin-off series that stem from the films.

• Name: Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
• Where to watch: Netflix and HBO Max, respectively

Benedict Cumberbatch

Another Marvel actor has already felt what it’s like to be in Holmes’ shoes. Before Benedict Cumberbatch was Doctor Strange, the actor boosted his career with the series Sherlock from the BBC, which ran between 2010 and 2017. The adaptation features a contemporary Sherlock whose adventures are recorded by John Watson – this time played by Martin Freeman – on a blog, which turns the detective into a reluctant celebrity who has his life personnel and cases exposed in the press.

• Name: Sherlock (2010 – 2017)
• Where to watch: Prime Video

Jonny Lee Miller

elementary was one of the most unusual versions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s universe. The series takes Sherlock out of the English context and places the detective in Manhattan, New York City, right after leaving a rehabilitation center. There, on his father’s orders, he shares the apartment with Dr. Joan Watson, who will help you not to relapse into addiction. Lucy Liu was responsible for portraying Watson, a character always portrayed as a man, in the female version of her.

• Name: Elementary (2012 – 2019)
• Where to watch: Globoplay

Henry Cavill

In Enola Holmes, Sherlock steps out of the spotlight to make room for his little sister. Ever since her mother disappeared, Enola has followed clues left by her in order to find her. In this version, actor Henry Cavill – known for playing Superman – took on the role of the detective in a way never seen before. Holmes is a man who expresses emotions and is quite different from the sarcastic and cold detective we already know.

• Name: Enola Holmes (2020)
• Where to watch: Netflix

Ian McKellen

In the movie Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the detective is in the hands of Ian McKellen, who is famous for playing Gandalf in Lord of the Rings. This time, you will accompany Holmes at age 93, living in a remote house on the coast with the housekeeper Mrs. Munro and his son Roger. As he deals with his deteriorating mind, Sherlock becomes obsessed with a case he’s never been able to crack. Now, at the end of his life, he tries to decipher his last mystery.

• Name: Mr. Sherlock Holmes (2015)
• Where to watch: Netflix