Top 10 Best Actors Who Played Sherlock Holmes
Benedict Cumberbatch played Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock (2010-2017), which modernized the detective's stories for a contemporary audience. His portrayal is known for its high-functioning sociopath angle and frenetic energy. Benedict Cumberbatch is just the best. My all-time favorite actor, he played Sherlock beautifully. Don't get me wrong, RDJ did great too, but Benedict just stole the mark.
The series was also wonderfully written, and of course, not to forget the wonderful acting talent of Martin Freeman, Andrew Scott, Mark Gatiss (and his writing talent), and all the other amazing people and actors who went into making Sherlock happen.
After you've seen Benedict Cumberbatch star as Sherlock Holmes, it will be very hard to accept any other actor's performance as the famous detective. Let's just all agree that Benedict equals Sherlock, and leave it at that!
Robert Downey Jr. starred as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's action-oriented films Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011). His portrayal combined wit, physicality, and a more eccentric interpretation of the detective. It's almost a hybrid of Iron Man and Captain Jack Sparrow. I would argue that Robert Downey Jr. would make an even better Jack Sparrow than Johnny Depp.
He gave new life and brought the sarcasm of Tony Stark, which was a great extra.
His eccentricity makes him my favorite Sherlock Holmes actor.
Basil Rathbone is renowned for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in 14 films between 1939 and 1946. His performance helped solidify the popular image of Holmes, particularly with the use of the deerstalker cap and pipe. This is the best. No doubt.
Jeremy Brett is considered one of the most definitive Sherlock Holmes actors, portraying the character in the Granada Television series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes from 1984 to 1994. His meticulous approach and close adherence to Arthur Conan Doyle's original depiction have left a lasting legacy. For me, Jeremy Brett will always be the best. I have watched Everett's, Cumberbatch's, and RDJ's versions, but no one can beat Jeremy Brett for his mannerisms and portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. I used to read the books after watching the series, and the only image of Sherlock in my mind is Jeremy Brett.
Besides, Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke (and also David Burke) successfully portrayed the friendship of Holmes and Watson, something the canon and modern adaptations mostly failed to do.
This man gave his life to this role. If Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had seen him portray his character, I'm sure even he would have said this man was Sherlock Holmes.
Peter Cushing portrayed Sherlock Holmes in Hammer Films' The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) and later reprised the role in the BBC series Sherlock Holmes (1968). His interpretation brought a refined and somewhat eerie presence to the character. Peter Cushing looks just right for the role. He's the most accurate-looking actor to how Arthur Conan Doyle envisioned the character.
His voice, energy, and posture are also perfect.
Pitch-perfect. For me, he's the best Holmes.
Christopher Lee played Sherlock Holmes in several films, including Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace (1962), as well as in TV films in the 1990s. He also portrayed Holmes' brother, Mycroft, in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970). It's a shame his first stint was dubbed, but he played him again on TV twice. He has the right look and brusque demeanor for the part.
Robert Stephens starred as Sherlock Holmes in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), directed by Billy Wilder. His performance presented Holmes with a more vulnerable and humanized personality, differing from traditional portrayals.
Michael Caine portrayed a comedic version of Sherlock Holmes in Without a Clue (1988), where Holmes is depicted as an actor hired to play the detective while Dr. Watson solves the cases. This role offered a humorous take on the character. A very funny version of Sherlock Holmes.
Vasily Livanov played Sherlock Holmes in a Soviet TV series that aired from 1979 to 1986, becoming a beloved interpretation in Russia. His Holmes was marked by a calm, intellectual demeanor, and Livanov was later awarded honorary MBE for his portrayal. His voice and manners make him the best actor who has ever played Sherlock Holmes.
Best Sherlock Holmes ever!
Christopher Plummer portrayed Sherlock Holmes in Murder by Decree (1979), where the detective investigates the Jack the Ripper case. His performance brought emotional depth and a more compassionate side to the famous sleuth.The Newcomers
Nicholas Rowe portrayed a young Sherlock Holmes in the film Young Sherlock Holmes (1985), which imagines the detective as a student solving his first major case. His performance showed Holmes in a formative stage of his life.
Nicol Williamson played Sherlock Holmes in The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), a film that depicted Holmes as a drug-addicted detective who seeks help from Sigmund Freud. His portrayal leaned into the character's psychological complexities.
John Cleese portrayed a comedic version of Sherlock Holmes in the 1977 parody The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It. His take was largely satirical, playing with the conventions of the detective genre.
Jonny Lee Miller played a modernized Sherlock Holmes in the CBS series Elementary (2012-2019), which set the character in contemporary New York. His Holmes was portrayed as a recovering drug addict with sharp deductive abilities.
Tom Baker starred as Sherlock Holmes in a BBC adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1982). Known for his iconic role as the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who, Baker brought a quirky and distinctive approach to the detective.
Ian McKellen played an aging Sherlock Holmes in Mr. Holmes (2015), which explored the detective in his later years, grappling with memory loss and reflecting on his past. His performance was introspective, focusing on a more vulnerable Holmes. He was great in the film Mr. Holmes.
Underrated.
Rupert Everett took on the role of Sherlock Holmes in the TV movie Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking (2004). His portrayal presented a darker, more aloof version of the character, set in Edwardian England.
John Neville played Sherlock Holmes in the film A Study in Terror (1965), which depicted the detective investigating the Jack the Ripper murders. His portrayal was classic and grounded in traditional interpretations of the character.
Henry Cavill portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the Netflix film Enola Holmes (2020) and its sequel, Enola Holmes 2 (2022). His version of Holmes was more compassionate and supportive, especially in relation to his sister, Enola.
Will Ferrell played a comedic version of Sherlock Holmes in the film Holmes & Watson (2018), a slapstick interpretation of the character. His portrayal emphasized absurd humor and parodied traditional detective tropes.
Leonard Nimoy portrayed Sherlock Holmes in a stage production called Sherlock Holmes in the 1970s. Best known for his role as Spock in Star Trek, Nimoy's performance brought a cerebral, methodical approach to the character. Live long and prosper.
Peter O'Toole voiced Sherlock Holmes in the animated feature Sherlock Holmes and the Baskerville Curse (1983), part of a series of Australian animated films. His vocal portrayal captured the intellect and mystique of the detective. He voiced Holmes in several animated films.
Ian Richardson portrayed Sherlock Holmes in two television films, The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983) and The Sign of Four (1983). His portrayal was well-regarded for its classic and faithful adaptation of the literary character.