Sherlock is a British mystery crime comedy-drama series co-created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. Based on the Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the BBC series is set in modern London, and it follows Sherlock Holmes, a genius man with extraordinary observational skills who works as a consultant for Scotland Yard to solve intricate mysteries with the help of his best friend and partner, Dr John Watson. Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Lara Pulver, Amanda Abbington, Andrew Scott, Rupert Graves, and Louise Brealey. So, if you loved the thrilling mysteries, compelling drama, and entertaining characters in Sherlock, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
Elementary (Hulu & Prime Video)
Elementary is a police procedural mystery crime comedy-drama series created by Robert Doherty. Based on the Sherlock novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the CBS series is set in New York City and it follows Sherlock Holmes, a recovering addict who works as a crime consultant for the NYPD to solve complex cases with the help of Dr. Joan Watson. Elementary stars Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Jon Michael Hill, Aidan Quinn, John Noble, Nelsan Ellis, Desmond Harrington, and James Frain.
Why It’s Similar? Elementary is another interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock stories, and it follows many storylines that were adapted from the British series.
Luther (Hulu, AMC+, Britbox, Pluto TV, Philo, & Rent on Prime Video)
Luther is a British police procedural psychological crime thriller series created by Neil Cross. The BBC series is set in London and follows DCI John Luther, a brilliant homicide detective with his own personal demons and violent tendencies. He uses his skills to catch disturbing killers terrorizing the people in the city. Luther stars Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Steven Mackintosh, Indira Varma, Paul McGann, Saskia Reeves, Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley, and Nikki Amuka-Bird.
Why It’s Similar? While Luther feels and simply is much darker than Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, it is also a very intelligent detective series that will leave you feeling very intelligent just like Sherlock.
Sherlock Holmes (Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Crackle, & Prime Video Add-On)
Sherlock Holmes is a British detective fiction drama series created by Michael Cox. The ITV series is set in the late Victorian era, and it follows Sherlock Holmes, the world’s only consulting detective, who uses his brilliant observational skills and vast knowledge to solve even the most complex criminal cases. Sherlock Holmes stars Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Edward Hardwicke, Charley Gray, Colin Jeavons, Eric Porter, and Rosalie Williams.
Why It’s Similar? If you loved the modern adaptation of Sherlock in the BBC series and wondered what it would look like if it were set in the late Victorian era, just like the books, then check out this ITV Sherlock Holmes series.
Hannibal (Prime Video)
Hannibal is a psychological crime thriller drama series created by Bryan Fuller. Based on the Hannibal novels by Thomas Harris, the NBC series follows Will Graham, a mentally troubled FBI Special Investigator who is called back into the field to catch disturbed serial killers and to get his mind in order he frequently attends sessions with the forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter but what he doesn’t know is Dr. Lecter is himself a serial killer. Hannibal stars Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Hettienne Park, Laurence Fishburne, Scott Thompson, Aaron Abrams, and Gillian Anderson.
Why It’s Similar? If you loved the extremely entertaining rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty in BBC’s Sherlock, then check out NBC’s Hannibal, where you can see a similar pairing between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter.
The Mentalist (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
The Mentalist is a police procedural mystery thriller crime drama series created by Bruno Heller. The CBS series follows Patrick Jane, a crime consultant with amazing observational skills for the California Bureau of Investigation, who used to cheat people by pretending to be a psychic. His reason for becoming a crime consultant is to find the serial killer who killed his wife and daughter. The Mentalist stars Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti, Rockmond Dunbar, Emily Swallow, Joe Adler, and Josei Loren.
Why It’s Similar? If you love Sherlock’s brilliance and observational skills, then you are going to love the leading character of CBS’ The Mentalist, Patrick Jane.
House M.D. (Prime Video, Apple TV, Peacock, & Hulu)
House M.D. is a medical dark comedy-drama series created by David Shore. The Fox series follows Dr. Gregory House, a cynical but genius diagnostician who works with a team of brilliant doctors to diagnose even the most mysterious of diseases. House M.D. stars Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Kal Penn, Olivia Wilde, Amber Tamblyn, Odette Annable, and Charlyne Yi.
Why It’s Similar? Sherlock is arrogant, brilliant, an addict, and emotionally troubled, just like Dr. Gregory House in David Shore’s House M.D., in which Hugh Laurie plays a Sherlock-inspired leading character.
Monk (Prime Video, Peacock, & Philo)
Monk is a police procedural detective comedy-drama series created by Andy Breckman. The USA Network series is set in San Francisco, and it follows Adrian Monk, a former police detective with OCD and tons of phobias who works as a consultant for the SFPD to bring criminals to justice with the help of his trusty assistant. Monk stars Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Jason Gray-Stanford, Ted Levine, and Traylor Howard.
Why It’s Similar? While Sherlock is not as eccentric as Tony Shalhoub’s Adrian Monk, both detectives are extremely intelligent and observant, making them effective crime solvers.
Psych (Prime Video, Peacock & Apple TV)
Psych is a police procedural detective comedy-drama series created by Steve Franks. The USA Network series follows Shawn Spencer, a young man with heightened observational skills who lies to the police about being a psychic and becomes a crime consultant with the help of his reluctant best friend, Gus. Psych stars James Roday, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen, Kirsten Nelson, and Anne Dudek.
Why It’s Similar? If you love the goofy and comedic side of BBC’s Sherlock, then Psych is perfect for you, as you get a brilliant crime-solving leading duo with great comedic and thrilling storylines.
Lie to Me (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
Lie to Me is a police procedural crime drama series created by Samuel Baum. The Fox series follows Dr. Cal Lightman, an expert in the science of body language who can determine if someone is lying or not. He uses his expertise alongside his colleagues to help law enforcement agencies in solving complex cases. Lie to Me stars Tim Roth, Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund, Hayley McFarland, and Mekhi Phifer.
Why It’s Similar? Lie to Me has everything you loved in Sherlock from a confident and intelligent leading man with unique and baffling skills to thrilling and complex cases.
High Potential (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
High Potential is a police procedural crime drama series created by Drew Goddard. Based on the French and Belgian TV series HPI by Nicolas Jean, Stéphane Carrié, and Alice Chegaray-Breugnot, the ABC series follows Morgan Gillory, a brilliant single mother who works as a cleaning lady at the LAPD. One day, she solves a complex case for the detectives, and she is soon hired as a consultant to work on hard-to-solve cases. High Potential stars Kaitlin Olson, Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, Matthew Lamb, and Judy Reyes.
Why It’s Similar? High Potential is basically Sherlock if Sherlock were a woman, had financial problems, and had to take care of three kids by himself.