Sherlock Holmes (character)
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Sherlock Holmes |
| Occupation: | consulting detective |
| Relationships: | Dr. John Watson (roommate); Mycroft Holmes (brother); Professor James Moriarty (archenemy); Inspector Lestrade; Mrs. Hudson (landlady) |
| Fandom: | Sherlock Holmes |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
This article or section needs expansion. |
Sherlock Holmes, the iconic Great Detective in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories and various adaptations, is a late Victorian/Edwardian character known for his scientific approach to solving crimes.
Canon
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based the character in part on Dr. Joseph Bell, his medical lecturer from Edinburgh University. Originally intended to be called Sherringford Holmes, and partnered with "Ormond Sacker" rather than John Watson, Sherlock Holmes debuted in A Study in Scarlet, published in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887, and later as a separate novel.[1]
He is a somewhat ambiguous and inscrutible figure, but is often characterized as a Bohemian, a genius, an addict, a misanthrope, and a confirmed bachelor. His hobbies include performing chemistry experiments and playing the violin.
Versions
Various adaptations and pastiches have emphasized different aspects of his canon self.
Basil Rathbone
Russian TV
Portrayed by Vasily Livanov.
Sherlock Holmes (Granada)
An iconic Holmes and widely considered very close to canon. Portrayed by Jeremy Brett.
Mary Russell
This controversial Holmes takes Mary Russell as an apprentice and later marries her.
Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century
Voiced by Jason Gray-Stanford. This series portrays Holmes as a younger man than one sees in most screen adaptations. Within the story, this is said to be necessary so that the rejuvenated Holmes can more effectively assume the physical demands of his pursuit of Moriarty; it's also likely that the age of the intended audience was a factor in the decision.
The series also alters Holmes' major character relationship dynamics. While he develops (over time) a solid bond with the show's robotic version of Watson, he also develops a close partnership with New Scotland Yard Inspector Beth Lestrade. Lestrade's relationship to Holmes is complex; she is evidently a direct descendant of the original Holmes (though the exact connection is never specified), the instrument of the latter-day Holmes' resurrection, and his official liaison with New Scotland Yard. She is thus in many respects a more Watsonian figure than "Watson" himself in the show's universe.
22nd-century Holmes is somewhat more outgoing and less abrasive (though no less self-confident) than many versions of the character. In particular, he is a more avid teacher of deduction than in many other incarnations, constantly encouraging Lestrade and his new Irregulars with the signature phrase "Eyes and brains!".
House, M.D.
The main character was inspired by Sherlock Holmes. Portrayed by Hugh Laurie. See Gregory House.
This version has the main character lacking in empathy and perhaps subject to some form of personality disorder.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. A more physical, less cerebral take on the character.
Sherlock (BBC)
Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. Compared with ACD canon, and like House, M.D., this modern version is also lacking in empathy and perhaps subject to some form of personality disorder. Holmes' canonical lack of interest in women is emphasised, with hints of asexuality. See Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock character).
Elementary
Portrayed by Johnny Lee Miller. This characterization is a sharply different take from that seen in the BBC's Sherlock despite the outward similarity of the modern-day settings.
Fandom
Relationships
Holmes' most popular pairing, and the fandom OTP, is Holmes/Watson. There is also some enemyslash of Holmes/Moriarty. Outside of BBC's Sherlock, het pairings are fairly rare, with Holmes/Irene Alder being the most common one. There is also a great deal of gen fanworks, commonly focused on his friendship with Watson, or the familial relationship with his brother Mycroft.
Common Tropes and Storylines in Fanworks
- Autistic Holmes: many fans interpret Holmes as autistic or neurodivergent, and will portray him as such in their fanworks. This may include things like stimming, sensitivity to touch, difficulties with social cues, disliking change (i.e. Watson moving out of Baker St), among others.
- Asexual Holmes: fans portraying Holmes as asexual is quite common, and they will explore how this would effect any romantic relationships he is in, if he chooses to be in one
- Substance Abuse: Holmes in most adaptations has issues with addiction, many fanworks will explore this, how it effects his functioning, and if and how he can work towards becoming clean
- Post-Reichenbach Falls: most adaptations have some version of Reichenbach Falls, and there is usually a time gap between Holmes' supposed "death" at the falls and his return to Watson. Some fans will like to explore what Holmes was up to during this time. Also, exploring the trauma of living on the run and being separated from all friends and family is common.
- Backstory: the details of Holmes' early life are fairly sparse in canon, so fans are free to fill in what details they like in their fanworks. It is not unusual in fic to find stories where Holmes tells Watson about his childhood and young adulthood, and may even include flashbacks to that time.
Sherlock Holmes' Birthday
Holmes' birthday is celebrated on January 6th. Holmes' birth date is never mentioned in canon, but Jan 6th was chosen by writer, and founding member of the Baker Street Irregulars, Christopher Morley, who supposedly picked the date because Twelfth Night is quoted twice by Holmes in canon, so it was thought that the play had a special meaning to Holmes and was connected to his birth[2][3]. Fan clubs would often have some sort of celebration in honour of Holmes's birthday. In modern online fandom it is not unusual to see fans wishing Holmes a happy birthday on social media and creating fanworks for the occasion[4][5].
Example Art Gallery
Art from Delta Triad #5, by Melinda Shreve (1979), mostly likely inspired by the books
Art from The Holmesian Federation #5 by Annette Taylor (1984), Leonard Nimoy as Holmes, who starred as Sherlock Holmes in a play in 1976
Art from Metaluna: Sherlock Holmes by unknown artist (1988), this piece inspired by Peter Cushing's Holmes
Cover art of No Holds Barred #1 by Caren Parnes (1992), inspired by Granada Sherlock Holmes (with Watson)
Russian Sherlock Holmes by Gildhartt (2010), inspired by the Soviet series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
Sherlock Holmes by Lorraine Brevig (2012), inspired by BBC Sherlock
Jonny Lee Miller: the best Sherlock...? by outsidelogic (2015), based on the Elementary TV series
Paris Poster Holmes by L.A. Adolf (2016), based upon the Robert Downey Jr films
quick doodle I did of Basil by 2puncturezz (2024), this piece inspired by the Basil Rathbone films
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Archives and Links
References
- ^ "Sherlock Holmes". International Superheroes. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13.
- ^ "When Is Sherlock Holmes's Birthday and How Do We Know For Sure?". Archived from the original on 2025-01-07.
- ^ "Happy 167th Birthday, Sherlock Holmes". Archived from the original on 2025-01-07.
- ^ "sherlock!happy 171 st birthdayđ«". Archived from the original on 2025-01-07.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes". Archived from the original on 2025-01-07.