In 2012, Guinness World Records awarded Sherlock Holmes the title for ‘the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV’, having been depicted on-screen 254 times. Through a combination of films, television series, dramas and documentaries, Sherlock’s appearances beat the character of Shakespeare’s Hamlet by 48 portrayals.
ON SCREEN
HOLMES
SHERLOCK
Beginning with the 30-second American silent Baffled in 1900, up to his incarnation as an aged and retired Sherlock in Mr. Holmes in 2019, the character has been played by over 75 different actors. Varying in faithfulness to the source material, it’s impossible to give them all a mention, but we highlight here some of the most notable portrayals.
In 2012, Guinness World Records awarded Sherlock Holmes the title for ‘the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV’, having been depicted on-screen 254 times. Through a combination of films, television series, dramas and documentaries, Sherlock’s appearances beat the character of Shakespeare’s Hamlet by 48 portrayals.
Beginning with the 30-second American silent Baffled in 1900, up to his incarnation as an aged and retired Sherlock in Mr. Holmes in 2019, the character has been played by over 75 different actors. Varying in faithfulness to the source material, it’s impossible to give them all a mention, but we highlight here some of the most notable portrayals.
One of the first significant series of Sherlock films featured noted West End actor Eille Norwood as Holmes. A total of forty-five short 20 minute films and two feature-length films were produced in Britain between 1921 and 1923. Norwood, a true method actor, modelled himself on the classic illustrations of the detective by Sidney Paget in The Strand Magazine, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself saw and admired the portrayal. Norwood holds the record for most appearances as Sherlock Holmes in film.
“His wonderful impersonation of Holmes has amazed me”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, on actor Eille Norwood’s depiction of Sherlock Holmes
One of the first significant series of Sherlock films featured noted West End actor Eille Norwood as Holmes. A total of forty-five short 20 minute films and two feature-length films were produced in Britain between 1921 and 1923. Norwood, a true method actor, modelled himself on the classic illustrations of the detective by Sidney Paget in The Strand Magazine, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself saw and admired the portrayal. Norwood holds the record for most appearances as Sherlock Holmes in film.
“His wonderful impersonation of Holmes has amazed me”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, on actor Eille Norwood’s depiction of Sherlock Holmes
In many people’s minds, the definitive Sherlock Holmes will always be Basil Rathbone, the actor who starred in 14 Sherlock films between 1939 and 1946, and created the iconic deerstalker and cape image.
The movies featured a mix of Victorian-era and contemporary World War II storylines – the latter acting as morale-boosting propaganda after the U.S. joined the war in 1941.
Alongside his regular co-star Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, Rathbone allowed his natural charm to shine and is justifiably often considered the on-screen Sherlock. The successful Holmes films meant he was unable to shake himself free from the shadow of the great detective, and finding himself typecast, in later years was reduced to appearing in TV commercials.
Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone
Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone
The first Sherlock television series to air in the UK saw actor Douglas Wilmer in the title role. The BBC produced 12 35-minute live episodes of Sherlock Holmes between 1964 and 1965. Highly influenced by Basil Rathbone’s film version and bearing a striking physical resemblance to Sidney Paget’s illustrations, Wilmer played the Holmes with just the right amount of forensic analysis and detached composure.
When Douglas Wilmer declined an invitation to return for a second series of Sherlock Holmes in 1968, Peter Cushing was approached to take over the title role. A life-long fan of the detective, he had previously played Holmes to much aclaim in the Hammer films adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1959 – the first Holmes adaptation to be filmed in colour. Cushing would star in 16 television episodes, and despite his frustration caused by budget overruns and a production problems, certainly looked the part, giving one of the most watchable performances of his long career in the iconic role.
“We do want the series to be right – that character is, I think, an answer to most actors’ dreams.”
Peter Cushing
Between 1979 and 1986, Soviet television produced a series of five television films which were split into 11 episodes. Starring Vasily Livanov as Holmes and Vitaly Solomin as Watson, the scripts remained very faithful to the text of the original Conan Doyle stories. A combination of fine acting, the chemistry between the two leads and the production’s attention to detail make the series arguably the most accurate adaptation ever filmed.
The series was hugely popular and became a much-loved cultural phenomenon in Russia. In 2006, Livanov received an Honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from Britain, and in 2007, a statue of the two actors as Holmes and Watson was erected in Moscow close to the British embassy.
Actor Jeremy Brett set out to be the definitive Sherlock from the start. Upon being cast in ITV’s 1984 series, he did extensive research to bring to the role an attention to detail that Sherlock himself would appreciate. He played Holmes for over 10 years in 41 acclaimed stories, providing a portrayal which was both nuanced and eccentric. Brett drew on his own life experiences of bipolar disorder and depression to make his performance truly convincing, and even now, two decades later, the realism and humanity of Brett’s work is unprecedented – a true great.
“Holmes is described by Doyle as a man without a heart – all brain, and that’s very difficult to play”
Jeremy Brett
Between 1979 and 1986, Soviet television produced a series of five television films which were split into 11 episodes. Starring Vasily Livanov as Holmes and Vitaly Solomin as Watson, the scripts remained very faithful to the text of the original Conan Doyle stories. A combination of fine acting, the chemistry between the two leads and the production’s attention to detail make the series arguably the most accurate adaptation ever filmed.
The series was hugely popular and became a much-loved cultural phenomenon in Russia. In 2006, Livanov received an Honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from Britain, and in 2007, a statue of the two actors as Holmes and Watson was erected in Moscow close to the British embassy.
Actor Jeremy Brett set out to be the definitive Sherlock from the start. Upon being cast in ITV’s 1984 series, he did extensive research to bring to the role an attention to detail that Sherlock himself would appreciate. He played Holmes for over 10 years in 41 acclaimed stories, providing a portrayal which was both nuanced and eccentric. Brett drew on his own life experiences of bipolar disorder and depression to make his performance truly convincing, and even now, two decades later, the realism and humanity of Brett’s work is unprecedented – a true great.
“Holmes is described by Doyle as a man without a heart – all brain, and that’s very difficult to play”
Jeremy Brett
Perhaps the most financially successful adaptations saw Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. playing Sherlock in 2009 and a 2011 sequel, both directed by Guy Ritchie. The films are set in a re-imagined, gritty Victorian setting and feature quick-fire humour and elaborate action sequences aimed at a modern audience.
Downey is accompanied by Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, who is played more like the original written character – as a colleague rather than the bumbling sidekick popularised by Nigel Bruce in the 1930s–40s Rathbone films.
Downey’s likeable, yet crass and cynical portrayal brings plenty of energy, chaos and insanity to the role – even though he looks nothing like the gaunt, lanky detective we’re used to seeing!
Star of the recent BBC series Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is a Holmes made for the 21st century. Also starring Martin Freeman as Doctor Watson, the stories were loosely based on Conan Doyle’s work, but updated with distinct modern day setting. The heart of the show, however, remains Sherlock’s powers of memory and deduction.
The detective ditches the deerstalker for a long coat and scarf, but despite the makeover, retains the crucial personality traits: intolerant, antisocial, and sharply astute. The fast-paced show was a massive success for the BBC which helped cement Cumberbatch’s place as one of the greats to take on the character.
Thirteen episodes of Sherlock were produced from 2010 to 2017. Praised for the quality of its writing, acting, and directing, it was nominated and won numerous awards. The third series became the UK’s most watched drama series since 2001, and was also sold around the world to 180 territories.
Star of the recent BBC series Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is a Holmes made for the 21st century. Also starring Martin Freeman as Doctor Watson, the stories were loosely based on Conan Doyle’s work, but updated with distinct modern day setting. The heart of the show, however, remains Sherlock’s powers of memory and deduction.
The detective ditches the deerstalker for a long coat and scarf, but despite the makeover, retains the crucial personality traits: intolerant, antisocial, and sharply astute. The fast-paced show was a massive success for the BBC which helped cement Cumberbatch’s place as one of the greats to take on the character.
Thirteen episodes of Sherlock were produced from 2010 to 2017. Praised for the quality of its writing, acting, and directing, it was nominated and won numerous awards. The third series became the UK’s most watched drama series since 2001, and was also sold around the world to 180 territories.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman
TV show Elementary, which concluded with a seventh season in 2019, was set in modern New York City and saw British actor Jonny Lee Miller play Holmes as an eccentric, recovering alcoholic. It’s probably the slickest version of the Sherlock story, with snappy scripts, a female Watson (Lucy Liu) and modern storylines involving computer hacking and Wall Street bankers.
Debuting around the same time as the Robert Downey Jr. films and the BBC’s Sherlock, Elementary was unfairly overshadowed by both, but reviews were positive and and the viewing figures strong. Critics have since praised the performances, writing, novel approach and its fresh modern take on the source material.
“I really respect the world that Arthur Conan Doyle created and the way it has been able to be reinterpreted over and over again.”
Jonny Lee Miller
TV show Elementary, which concluded with a seventh season in 2019, was set in modern New York City and saw British actor Jonny Lee Miller play Holmes as an eccentric, recovering alcoholic. It’s probably the slickest version of the Sherlock story, with snappy scripts, a female Watson (Lucy Liu) and modern storylines involving computer hacking and Wall Street bankers.
Debuting around the same time as the Robert Downey Jr. films and the BBC’s Sherlock, Elementary was unfairly overshadowed by both, but reviews were positive and and the viewing figures strong. Critics have since praised the performances, writing, novel approach and its fresh modern take on the source material.
“I really respect the world that Arthur Conan Doyle created and the way it has been able to be reinterpreted over and over again.”
Jonny Lee Miller