Meet The Characters

Discover more about Sherlock Holmes, Doctor John Watson, Detective Inspector Lestrade and 221B's landlady, Mrs. Hudson, and the actors who play them.

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Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

The 21st century Sherlock is a self-appointed consulting detective. He is a master of deduction, who thrives on solving challenging cases and demonstrating his genius. Social graces, however, are not his strong point.

Since becoming Sherlock Holmes in 2010 Benedict Cumberbatch's career has gone from strength to strength. He's taken on blockbusters in the shape of Star Trek: Into Darkness and The Hobbit, where he voiced the ferocious Smaug opposite his Sherlock co-star, Martin Freeman. He was also nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. Next up he'll be entering the Marvel comic book universe as Doctor Strange and will play Shere Khan in Andy Serkis' adaptation of The Jungle Book.
Doctor John Watson (Martin Freeman)

Fresh from military duty as an army doctor in Afghanistan, John Watson reluctantly joins forces with Sherlock, but soon learns to look past his flatmate's unusual behaviour.

Before he was Watson we all knew Martin Freeman as the put-upon Tim Canterbury in The Office. But his biggest, most successful role since has of course been as Bilbo Baggins in the epic Hobbit trilogy. If you didn't think filming three huge films back-to-back wasn't enough, Freeman went state-side to take a starring role in the television series Fargo, based on the Coen brothers classic. Next up. like his Sherlock co-star, he's entered the Marvel comic book universe and will appear in the next Captain America film.
Detective Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves)

Scotland Yard's top detective is known for his dry wit. He and Sherlock share a mutual respect, which they don't always like to admit, but neither are afraid to enlist each others services when they are needed.

Before he became known as Sherlock's go-to man at Scotland Yard as Lestrade, Rupert Graves has been a prolific television actor appearing in the likes of Last Tango in Halifax, Wallander and Agatha Christie's Marple, as well as the films V For Vendetta and Made In Dagenham.
Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs)

The landlady of 221B Baker Street which is shared by Sherlock and John. However, as she is often keen to point out, she is not their housekeeper!

Una Stubbs is perhaps best known as her role in sometimes controversial BBC sitcom Till Death Do Us Part. Since then she's made appearances in Eastenders, Call The Midwife, The Worst Witch and even The Catherine Tate Show.

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Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Doctor John Watson (Martin Freeman)

Detective Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves)

Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs)