Sherlock: Each Main Character Ranked From Worst To Best
2. Sherlock Holmes
The role that brought Benedict Cumberbatch into the spotlight. This version of Sherlock is incredibly interesting, as he plays with a lot more insecurity and relatability than his literary counterpart, but still feels accurate to Conan Doyle's creation.
From the characters first appearance on the show, you completely understand his nature. The unempathetic and incredibly rude genius has a tonne of trouble dealing with people and the conventions of life, making him frequently in conflict with those around him. This traditionally comes across as arrogance, and while that still rings true for the show, here it feels a little more grounded.
This version of Sherlock is constantly plagued by his own mind. Whether that's an inability to shut it off, a lack of vocal filter, or merely a tonne of self-consciousness, it makes him feel like he is continuously working and struggling to stay afloat. This makes his arrogance and abrasive behaviour feel far more believable, as he cannot control his mind.
His character has flaws, as the series began to pander a little too far towards his quirky characteristics as the show progressed. However, he is still one of the best versions of the brilliant detective audiences have ever seen.