TV characters inspired by Sherlock Holmes

Ever since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle penned A Study in Scarlet, the genius detective Sherlock Holmes has and continues to inspire many other works of fiction. Decades after Doyle wrote his last Sherlock Holmes adventure, the world of fiction still doesn’t seem to have gotten over the brilliance of the character of Holmes which is evident from the many TV shows that have modelled their characters around the intelligent yet socially aloof detective of Baker Street. Let’s have a look at some such characters that have caught the fancy of Holmesians and others across the world.
Sherlock Holmes
Show: Sherlock
Actor: Benedict Cumberbatch
Not much needs to be said about this modern-day adaptation of Sherlock Holmes’ stories. Benedict’s character is a dapper Sherlock with similar qualities of the original character including logical deductions, drug addiction and mannerisms. In the character’s own words, Sherlock is a ‘highly functional sociopath’. His immense knowledge (stored in his Mind Palace) makes him the ideal person to consult for solving a tough case.

Gregory House
Show: House MD
Actor: Hugh Laurie
The brilliant Laurie is a man of many talents who did justice to the role of the ace diagnostician Gregory House in the series. His character has ample references to Holmes. Addiction to drugs (House is addicted to Vicodin), interest in music and the reluctance of taking cases that don’t interest him are just some of them. As a direct reference to Holmes, House’s residential address is shown to be 221B Baker Street.

Patrick Jane
Show: The Mentalist
Actor: Simon Baker
No he doesn’t stay at Baker Street but the ex-psychic Patrick Jane works as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, much like Holmes who lends his service to Scotland Yard. Both use their powerful observational powers and put themselves in the criminal’s shoes to solve a case. Also, like Holmes, Jane’s methods are questioned by many. The only difference is that Jane has a different motive, to find the man who has killed his family.

READ: Sherlock Holmes story rediscovered over a century later
Henry Morgan
Show: Forever
Actor: Ioan Gruffudd
Morgan is a medical practitioner who can recreate a crime scene in his head (like Will Graham from Hannibal) and uses his knowledge about medicine and human mortality to solve criminal cases. There is a catch though. Morgan is shown to be an immortal who has been alive for 200 years. Every time he dies, he is reborn and this apparently has contributed to his understanding of human nature.

Sherlock Holmes
Show: Elementary
Actor: Johnny Lee Miller
Another modern-day adaptation of Holmes, Elementary, shifts the crime scenes and Sherlock’s residence to New York. The show has been applauded for including important female characters which was a drawback in the original Holmes’ adventures. So you have Lucy Liu playing Dr Joan Watson and Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer as Sherlock’s arch-nemesis Jamie Moriarty (both inspired by John Watson and James Moriarty).

Everett Backstrom
Show: Backstrom
Actor: Rainn Wilson
This show is a relatively new one as compared to the others in the list. Being based on a book series by Swedish author Leif GW Persson, renders it different from the Arthur Conan Doyle stories. But the lead character Everett Backstrom played by Wilson has streaks of Sherlock. For starters, he is addicted to alcohol and is tolerated by the police force only due to his brilliant ability of solving crimes, just like Holmes.

Shawn Spencer
Show: Psych
Actor: James Roday
Spencer has absolutely mind-blowing observational abilities which he puts to use as a freelance consultant with the Santa Barbara Police Department. Actually he pretends to be a psychic and the observational skills help him fake it. In some references, Doyle’s Sherlock is often mistaken to be a mind reader due to his perfect readings of a person based on logic and deduction.​

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WATCH: Mr. Holmes Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2015) - Ian McKellen Mystery Drama HD