‘Criminally underrated’ detective drama hailed 'better than Sherlock' now free to watch
Benedict won't be happy
BBC's Sherlock, starring cycle road-rager Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, is undoubtedly one of the best shows ever to grace televisions. The scripts, the acting, the costume, the locations – chef's kiss, 10 out of 10, no notes – at least until the final series (IYKYK). However, there is something that is considered even better by some. Social media users are being urged to check out another modern take on the iconic detective, with some even claiming they prefer it to the BBC hit.
Elementary, which starred Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr Joan Watson, ran for seven seasons between 2012 and 2019 and has built a passionate fanbase in the years since it ended. The series reimagined Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective in modern-day New York, following Holmes as a recovering addict working alongside the NYPD, while Watson begins as his sober companion before eventually becoming his investigative partner.
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Taking to Reddit to answer a question specifically about what to watch that's similar to BBC's Sherlock, one user replied, "Elementary!"
In response, someone replied, "I prefer this to Sherlock. Such a good show." And another user added, "Same. I am rewatching it now and have been thinking how criminally underrated it is. Sure, it has the feeling of a network show and that isn't fashionable but it is every bit as good as any show I've seen."
While Sherlock leaned heavily into its fast-paced and stylised storytelling, many fans praised Elementary for its warmer character development, humour and emotional depth across its lengthy run.
In particular, the chemistry between Miller and Liu was also singled out by viewers mostly because the show avoided turning Sherlock and Watson into a romantic pairing.
In addition to Miller and Liu, the stellar supporting cast included Aidan Quinn as Captain Thomas Gregson, Natalie Dormer as Jamie Moriarty and Rhys Ifans as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes.
Over the course of 154 episodes, the show developed a loyal audience and strong critical reviews, with many praising its fresh spin on the Sherlock Holmes mythology.
It's got a whopping 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is currently free to stream on Channel 4. Get binging now!
