With CBS’ Watson entering its second season, there’s a continued interest in the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes has been adapted into 98 languages. As for adaptations, there have been thousands across film, TV, books, radio-programs, and more.
Eventually Watson will go on hiatus. And to help fill that mystery loving hole in your heart, we’ve put together a list of 7 Sherlock Holmes adaptations starring women in TV, film, and even books. Whether it’s John Watson as Joan Watson on Elementary or a 90s adaptation from Canada, Conan Doyle has inspired a multitude of versions of his beloved characters!
MORE: Loving Watson? Read our review for the latest episode “Expletive Deleted” here!
1. Elementary
Elementary stars the crime-solving duo of Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) and Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) who take on NYC’s most impossible cases. It ran for 7 Seasons of CBS, the same network as Watson, and it simply had the most interesting dynamic between Holmes and Watson because they were friends first and nothing else. Not making them romantic made it so different aspects of their relationship could be explored. But that doesn’t mean that people didn’t ship them. They always do.
Check out if you like: You should watch Elementary if you like Lucy Liu (she’s timeless), no nonsense women who don’t take any of Sherlock’s guff, and adventures in modern day NYC.
Elementary is currently available on Hulu.
2. Miss Sherlock
Miss Sherlock follows Dr. Wato-san Tachibana (Shihori Kanjiya) and Sara Shelly (Yuko Takeuchi) “Sherlock” Futaba, an eccentric police consultant who uses deduction to solve cases in modern-day Japan. Fans have said that the leads dynamic reminded them of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman’s from the BBC’s Sherlock series, which set the gold standard for modern viewers. Also, the soundtrack. Apparently it’s fire and if there’s anything I’ve learned from growing up with Sherlock, that can make or break a series. It was a win for Miss Sherlock.
Check out if you like: You should watch Miss Sherlock if you like eccentric women, Japanese stories, and want to check out on of Takeuchi’s last TV series.
Miss Sherlock is currently available on Apple TV.
3. Enola Holmes
Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Enola Holmes is probably my favorite Sherlock Holmes adaptation because of how brilliant she is. She doesn’t hold back, sets her own course, and knows how to fight. All around wins for me. Also, this movie has a bit of romance, which is kind of sweet, but doesn’t over take the story. There’s also the fact that Henry Cavill stars as Sherlock and Sam Claflin as Mycroft. But they also don’t overshadow her. Enola is the star.
Check out if you like: You should watch Enola Holmes if you like cozy mysteries, dark comedies, and want to watch Millie Bobby Brown in something if you can’t wait until Stranger Things Season 5.
Enola Holmes is currently available on Netflix.
MORE: If Christmas movies are more of your thing then check out our list of 12 Countdown to Christmas movies we’re looking forward to!
4. The Adventures of Shirley Holmes
The Adventures of Shirley Holmes tells the adventures of the grand-niece of Sherlock Holmes. Living in Canada she solves local crimes with the assistance of her boyfriend, Bo Sawchuk. Oh and she’s got an enemy in Molly Hardy. The show reminds me of young detective classics like Harriet the Spy with heaps of nostalgia, especially if you grew up in Canada.
Check out if you like: You should watch The Adventures of Shirley Holmes if you like late 90s TV from Canada and mystery series geared towards teenage audiences.
The Adventures of Shirley Holmes is currently available on Youtube.
5. The Lady Sherlock Series
From bestselling author Sherry Thomas, The Lady Sherlock series tells the story of Charlotte Holmes, who challenges the expectations of upper class society in London. How? Well when the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths, suspicion falls on her sister and father. To clear them, she starts an investigation under the assumed name of Sherlock Holmes.
Check out if you like: You should check out The Lady Sherlock series if you like books recommended by Ali Hazelwood, women challenging society, and cozy mysteries.
6. The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Series
From internationally bestselling author Leonard Goldberg, The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes tells the story of the great detective’s daughter and her companion Dr. John Watson, Jr. With 7 books in the series, its set in the 1900s and Joanna Blalock, our lead, is the daughter of Irene Adler. If the gorgeous covers aren’t enough for you to read, Joanna has clearly inherited her parents’ skills and faces interesting foes.
Check out if you like: You should read The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series if you like cozy mysteries, shifting perspectives, spies, and a different perspective on 221b Baker Street.
7. Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series
The last of the recommendations of adaptations starring women is Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. It tells the story of a retired Sherlock Holmes who takes on a young orphan, Mary Russell, under his reluctant tutelage. Spanning 19 books, this series was named one of the century’s Best 100 Mysteries by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. Some might not love Holmes characterization. But he’s older and intelligent and keen young woman becoming such a major character in the lore is refreshing.
Check out if you like: You should check out the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series if you like brilliant young women, character development that spans 19 books, and found family.
Watson airs new episodes every Monday at 10pm on CBS.
