Although BBC’s Sherlock is still missed, there are still plenty of other brilliant TV shows that can fill the gap. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes is one of the best TV detectives ever, as well as one of the strongest interpretations of the legendary fictional character. Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock novels, which are about the extremely intelligent and blunt London detective, have received several direct and indirect adaptations over the years.
However, the BBC’s version is absolutely one of the best TV shows of all time. Even in 2024, the iconic figure is still returning to screens in different forms, and many Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows are currently in development. While it’s tempting to just stick with Holmes and Watson, many other TV shows are just as compelling and intriguing that rival Sherlock. Crime dramas can vary in terms of format, characters, and stories, but multiple TV shows have a similar atmosphere to Sherlock.
10 Elementary (2012)
A Female John Watson Arrives
Elementary is a fascinating interpretation of Sherlock Holmes’ world. It takes place in modern-day New York and follows a unique incarnation of the titular character. Jonny Lee Miller’s portrayal of the detective is brilliant and vulnerable, but he has a more relatable edge regarding the character’s addictions. Of course, the most obvious difference between Elementary and Sherlock is the characterization of Watson—instead, John is named Joan, who is played by the legendary actress Lucy Liu. There’s even room to argue that Elementary is better than BBC’s Sherlock.
The relationship between Holmes and Watson is similar to other adaptations, but because of the difference in their genders, it offers a refreshing take on the pairing. Both Miller and Liu are praised consistently for their efforts in Elementary, with the two providing profound and original performances as their respective characters. While some factors of Elementary make it worthy of being one of the best crime procedural TV shows, the character arcs and gripping cases prove it to be so much more.
9 Luther (2010)
Idris Elba’s Iconic Detective
Idris Elba’s titular character in Luther is the main reason why the show is such a roaring success. The incredibly enthralling show runs for five seasons and ends with the 2023 Netflix movie Luther: The Fallen Sun, which wraps up DCI John Luther’s story fantastically. Luther frequently receives praise for its powerful yet brutal storylines, which helped the show gain traction all over the world and several accolades. There is also hope for a sequel to Luther: The Fallen Sun, but confirmation of the project is yet to be confirmed.
The fatigued and pessimistic lead character shares many similarities to Sherlock Holmes, although it is arguable that Luther lets his past traumas impact him significantly more. Luther’s harrowing history is an integral part of his character, and like in Sherlock , these memories come back to haunt him time and time again. However, the most important difference between the two protagonists is that John Luther has a strong moral compass, whereas whims and his own opinions very much power Sherlock Holmes’ decision-making process.
8 Broadchurch
A Seaside Murder Like No Other
Broadchurch is a great TV show where no one can be trusted, even the lead detective. The show is driven by David Tennant’s DI Alec Hardy and Olivia Colman’s DS Ellie Miller, who make a great detective duo. Although neither Hardy nor Miller are detectives in the same way as Sherlock Holmes, their ability to tackle a profound and enigmatic crime investigation is like no other. They both are remarkably professional, yet don’t hesitate to let emotions get in the way when it’s justified, which makes them that much better at their jobs.
Miller and Hardy genuinely care, a quality that Sherlock Holmes possesses but fails to demonstrate in an empathetic or even socially acceptable way. In later seasons of the show, the pair grow and develop into better people together, which is comparable to Holmes and Watson. From season 1 to season 3, Hardy and Miller investigate some of the most heinous crimes to ever happen in the titular coastal town, both directly and indirectly. The show rocked the UK upon its initial release because of the gripping mystery which asked: Who killed Danny in Broadchurch?
7 Bosch
Harry Bosch Is Always Haunted By His Ultimate Enemy, Like Sherlock
Bosch is a fabulous detective TV show based on a crime novel, and the writers Michael Connelly’s novel series justice. LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is played by Titus Welliver, who is stellar as the war veteran and mystery solver. Much like Sherlock Holmes, the titular character is dedicated to figuring out the truth, but he does so in a brash and abrupt way. Despite his rudeness, he is appreciated for his mind, his ability to consume facts so quickly, and how he can slip into the shoes of victims seamlessly.
Another comparison between Harry Bosch and Sherlock Holmes is that they both have a returning arch-nemesis that keeps them on their toes. While Sherlock Holmes has Jim Moriarty, Harry Bosch repeatedly faces serial killer Raynard Waits, who ensures that he is always watching over his shoulder. The show has become its legacy, much like Conan Doyle’s legendary character, with Bocsh: Legacy and the upcoming Renée Ballard Bosch spinoff, a character who debuts in season 3 and is a popular figure in the Connelly novels.
6 Monk
If Sherlock Was A Comedy
The beautifully funny and critically acclaimed Monk follows Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, a private investigator with obsessive-compulsive disorder who assists San Francisco’s law enforcement with their active cases. This premise is very similar to the setup of Sherlock, and much like Holmes himself, Monk’s oddities and quirky behavior often make him hard to work alongside. Unlike Sherlock, Monk heavily relies on humor, but this doesn’t take away from its story-of-the-week format and enigmatic plot lines.
Despite the show ending in 2009, Monk remains one of the best detective TV series on Netflix right now. The show’s timeless qualities have kept it relevant years after the finale, even returning for the TV movie Mr. Monk’s Last Case in 2023. What’s so engaging about the show, however, is how the titular character throws himself into his investigations, even though this often means he has to step out of his comfort zone. The best episodes of Monk famously see the PI face a new challenge, but without fail, he always finds a way to adapt to the situation.
5 The Blacklist
Raymond Reddington Is The Perfect Combination Of Sherlock And Moriarty
The Blacklist may have certain points in which it gets too convoluted, but it is still overall a great title that helps scratch the Sherlock itch. James Spader’s Raymond Reddington has a fascinating backstory that is told through the power of flashbacks, and up until The Blacklist’s season 10 finale, the character becomes more and more easy to invest in. The true identity of Raymond Reddington in The Blacklist is just as compelling as the help he provides to the FBI.
If Jim Moriarty became Sherlock Holmes after committing his crimes, he would be Raymond Reddington. His decision to offer assistance in the hunt for a deadly terrorist is unusual, but the relationship Reddington forms with his counterpart John Watson, Elizabeth Keen, makes him appear more humane. Like Sherlock Holmes, the attention of viewers is grabbed by Raymond Reddington’s obscure and nonsensical actions, but they usually make sense by the end of the episode.
4 The Mentalist
The Powers Of Deduction And Psychic Abilities Overlap
The Mentalist focuses on Patrick Jane, who is portrayed by Simon Baker, a famous psychic who starts working for the California Bureau of Investigation to find the person responsible for the death of his wife and daughter. The identity of Red John in The Mentalist is the driving force of the show’s first six seasons, but the mystery surrounding where he is hiding keeps audiences on edge with every episode. Robin Tunney’s Teresa Lisbon is the John Watson to Jane’s Sherlock Holmes. However, The Mentalist actually provides audiences with a Johnlock fix as the pair marry in season 7.
Both Sherlock Holmes and Patrick Jane take on a new investigation with each episode, but they are constantly plagued by a greater and more personal threat in their respective character and season arcs. There are quite a few similarities between Red John and Jim Moriarty, too, mainly their psychopathic tendencies and the ability to hide in plain sight. The Mentalist cast doesn’t initially seem to be comparable to those in Sherlock, but upon a closer look, there are overlapping details about the two TV shows.
3 House
If Sherlock Holmes Was A Doctor
It’s immediately clear from the pilot that Hugh Laurie’s Gregory House is Sherlock Holmes but as a doctor. The titular character’s ability to convey all the possible outcomes and solutions of a medical mystery and solve it is extremely impressive, especially as he does it within an episode. While House doesn’t investigate criminal activities, he does delve into the enigmas of healthcare while hiding his struggle with drugs, and he discusses them in such a way that it’s easy to forget that House isn’t a crime show.
House even has his own John Watson in the form of James Wilson. All 9 of the doctors in House’s team offer something new, but personalities like Allison Cameron force the grumpy genius to be kinder and more approachable, especially in more sensitive situations with vulnerable patients. House can almost be considered a contemporary Sherlock Holmes adaptation between the protagonist’s active addiction, brilliant mind, and lack of social skills, not to mention all the Easter-eggs.
2 The Devil’s Hour
A Supernatural Murder Mystery
The Devil’s Hour is an incredibly dark psychological thriller, and one of the best detective TV shows on Amazon Prime in recent years. It is led by Peter Capaldi’s Gideon Shepherd, an unhinged mass murderer, and Jessica Raine’s Lucy Chambers, a young woman who crosses paths with Shepherd in the search for the truth about her haunting visions. The Devil’s Hour could easily be a Sherlock Holmes story, except set in an alternative universe in which John Watson works with Jim Moriarty to get a better understanding of the inner workings of the human mind.
The show’s success has resulted in critical acclaim because of its gritty and suspenseful nature, but the implementation of supernatural elements makes it even more engaging. The Devil’s Hour season 2 will delve into the shocking fallout of the season 1 finale by further investigating just what the connection between the two main characters across multiple realities is, as well as the fates of Chambers’ son and husband.
1 Hannibal
How Do You Find A Killer When They’re Right Under Your Nose?
Hannibal may not have been a critic favorite at first, but especially since its cancellation, the show has developed an incredibly dedicated fan base. The show focuses on Hugh Dancy as Will Graham, a criminal profiler who hunts serial killers by visualizing himself committing crimes to understand the criminal’s motives. He works alongside secret mass murderer and cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, and forms a fascinating bond. While there is a clear angel and devil in this pairing, their growing friendship threatens the titular character’s quest to manipulate the FBI from within.
What’s such a breath of fresh air in Hannibal’s comparison to Sherlock is that the psychopath is genuinely intrigued by Graham’s ability to empathize with the criminals. However, Hannibal uses this and Graham’s fragile psyche to try to take advantage of him, warping the other man to follow in his footsteps. In some ways, Hannibal can be considered as another Sherlock Holmes story, but in another timeline where he converts John Watson into a much more dark and dangerous protégé.