Elementary

A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.

Elementary (2012-2019) is a American network crime drama series created by Robert Doherty for CBS, running seven seasons and 154 episodes. Jonny Lee Miller plays eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant man who fell from grace in London and now lives in Manhattan under the watchful eye of his wealthy father. Lucy Liu plays Joan Watson, the sober companion his father hires to keep him in line, and she becomes his partner in unraveling the NYPD's most baffling cases. Jon Michael Hill plays Detective Marcus Bell, and Aidan Quinn plays Captain Thomas Gregson, both working alongside the pair. Each season leans on a case-of-the-week structure, with forensic puzzles and deductive reasoning driving each investigation, while a longer arc tracks Sherlock's struggle with addiction and his fraught relationship with his family. The tone is witty and character-focused, with a warm chemistry between the leads and a steady undercurrent of recovery and loyalty. Fans of Sherlock, Monk and The Mentalist will find resonance in its blend of sharp detection and personal growth. The show balances clever mysteries with genuine emotional stakes across its long run, offering a comfortable yet intelligent watch for viewers who enjoy modern reinventions of classic detective fiction set in a bustling city.

Viewers broadly rate Elementary as a well-crafted, character-driven modern take on Sherlock Holmes, with its lead chemistry and emotional recovery storyline drawing particular praise.

• Sherlockmodernized sherlock holmes detective pairing, case of the week crime solving in a contemporary city
• Monkquirky genius detective with a partner, procedural crime solving with character-driven chemistry
• Bonesbrilliant detective working alongside police, serialized character arc within procedural crime format
• The Mentalistrecovery and personal redemption threaded through crime investigations in a major American city

Created by

Robert Doherty

Release Date

2012-09-27

Episode runtime

43 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (1910)

What is Elementary about?

A recovering eccentric genius and his sober companion crack the NYPD's most impossible cases in modern Manhattan.

What is Elementary like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Elementary as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Elementary violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Elementary as mild.

What did critics think of Elementary?

Viewers broadly rate Elementary as a well-crafted, character-driven modern take on Sherlock Holmes, with its lead chemistry and emotional recovery storyline drawing particular praise.

Which shows are like Elementary?

Shows with a similar feel include Sherlock, Monk, Bones, and The Mentalist.

How long is Elementary?

Elementary: 7 seasons, 154 episodes.

Is Elementary still running?

No, Elementary has ended.

Where can I watch Elementary?

In United States, Elementary streams on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.