Entertainment

List of Sherlock Holmes characters, along with their pictures from the film when available. These characters from the movie Sherlock Holmes are displayed from top to bottom according to their prevalence in the film, so you can find the lead characters at the top of the list. From main characters to cameos and minor roles, these characters are the reason why the movie is loved by film buffs around the world. The names of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-film-actors-and-actresses-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">actors and actresses</a> who starred in each role are featured as well, so use this Sherlock Holmes character list to find out who played your favorite role.This list contains items like Irene Adler and Tony Ardetti.If you want to know, "What are the character's names in Sherlock Holmes?" then this list will answer your question.Want to view this list of Sherlock Holmes roles alphabetically? Click on "Name" at the top of the list and it will be re-sorted from A-Z. If one of your favorite characters missing from the list, then add them by typing in their name at the bottom of the page.

List of Sherlock Holmes Characters

Film character

Sherlock Holmes Characters | Cast List of Characters From Sherlock Holmes

Reference

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard. First appearing in print in 1887's A Study in Scarlet, the character's popularity became widespread with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; additional tales appeared from then until 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories. All but one are set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras, between about 1880 and 1914. Most are narrated by the character of Holmes's friend and biographer Dr. Watson, who usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, Londo

The Best Comics Lists - Find or Make a Fictional Characters List  | Ranker  | Ranker - A World of Lists

Fictional Character

Unforgettable Film Characters

Best Movies

List of the best movie characters of all time, ranked by film buffs and people like you. This list includes performances by some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-film-actors-and-actresses-of-all-time">greatest actors of all time</a> in classic films, epic dramas, comedies, action and superhero movies, and many other <a href="http://www.ranker.com/tags/best-movie-genres">movie genres</a>. The best characters in film are those unforgettable, magnetic people (or aliens, or self-aware machines) who command the screen. They have spoken some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-movie-quotes-of-all-time">most memorable quotes in movie history</a> in ways fans have been trying to emulate ever since. They are famous movie characters that have inspired fan fiction and fan art; iconic movie characters who have inspired fashion and pop culture; popular movie characters that kids and adults alike aspire to be like. Simply put, they are the best characters ever. Vote for your favorites.

Indiana Jones

The Best Movie Characters Of All Time

Best Movie Characters | Greatest Film Character List

Ranker Community

Whatcha thinkin' about? Instead of pennies for your thoughts, here are lists of interesting things to ponder while you gaze at your navel and explore the depths of your true self.

Things to Think About

The greatest duos of all time can exist independently of each other, but totally shouldn&#39;t. These are combinations and famous duos whose whole value is greater than the sum of their parts. For instance, you can have cheese (and it will be glorious) and you can separately have ham (and it will be succulent), but put them together and boom: ham and cheese and delicious. These famous male and female partners in history, <a href="/list/best-sibling-duos/ranker-entertainment/" target="_blank">siblings</a>, delicious food pairings, famous movie duos, and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-television-duos/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous TV duos</a> need each other like peanut butter needs jelly. You might even say the following pairs are dynamic duos who should never be separated. But could some be considered iconic duos?

Some of the best fictional and celebrity couples that ever were find themselves among the best duos ever, but it&#39;s not just people that can make this list of the best pairings ever. Things like popcorn &amp; movies, baseball &amp; peanuts, and even Christmas &amp; snow are all better together. Among some of the best sports duos, the top TV couples, <a href="/list/best-video-game-duos/ranker-games" target="_blank">video game pairs</a>, cartoon duos, and the greatest food pairings are the top duos of all time, and they&#39;ve been compiled here in this list of the great duos for you to vote on. While fictional characters dominate the list, the tastiest food combinations are also competing for the top spot.

Who are the top duos of all time? Many of the answers to this question can be found here on this popular duos list, featuring the best pairings ever. If your favorite combination/duo isn&#39;t listed, make sure to add it. (Then go vote for the <a href="/list/best-trios-of-all-time/lauren-slocum" target="_blank">best trios</a>!)

The Best Duos of All Time

General

The Best Duos Of All Time & Famous Pairs, Ranked

Ariel Kana

After spending so very many hours watching a TV show, we form strong attachments - and revulsions - to certain characters. Let's rank 'em.

TV Characters We Love & Hate

List of the best TV grumps. Male or female, these are the greatest grumpy TV characters -- television curmudgeons whose pessimistic rants and antics usually make viewers laugh. From the original great TV grumps, including Fred Sanford and Archie Bunker, to the new generation of grumpy TV characters such as <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-red-forman-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Red Forman</a> and Sue Sylvester, they&rsquo;re all here.

&nbsp;Why is it that we love TV&rsquo;s curmudgeons? They&rsquo;re unhappy, they complain, they&rsquo;re pessimistic, and they often try to make everyone around them miserable, too. The best TV grumps remain lovable, however, because they tap into our own grumpy sides; besides, their rantings and predictions of doom and gloom often have no effect on anyone else. The other characters in a TV show know that they&rsquo;re dealing with a grouch, and carry on accordingly. In some cases, of course, the greatest grumps on TV really do make others&rsquo; lives miserable, but the curmudgeonly, grumpy character usually gets what&rsquo;s coming to him or her in the end, which makes it okay.

&nbsp;The best grumps on television are usually funny, as well. Frank Costanza generally looks like he&rsquo;s about to pop a blood vessel, but his ravings are hilarious. And underneath it all, many TV curmudgeons have a softer, warmer side. Who can blame a gentle-hearted person for putting up a mean front to protect their tender emotions? Viewers understand this about the best TV curmudgeons: They might seem mean, but they&rsquo;re often concealing a caring personality -- and if they inspire a few laughs in the process, that&rsquo;s all the better.

&nbsp;This list contains the grumps on TV that viewers have both loved and hated, laughed at or felt sorry for. Both female and male TV curmudgeons are included; after all, women can be just as crabby as men. The list also makes no age distinction -- the best TV grouches are both young and old.

Dr. Gregory House

The Most Beloved Grumps in TV History

TV Character

Best TV Grumps | List of Curmudgeon Characters

Ranker TV

poll

List of TV's most memorable characters, of all time, chosen by the Ranker community. What makes a character live on in the public's memory, even years after the original run of their respective TV programs? In some cases, it's the amount of depth that the show's writers, actors and other creators were able to bring to the character over the course of many years. For many of the greatest TV characters of all time, audiences feel like they get to know personalities like Dexter Morgan from &quot;Dexter.&quot; Even after the show leaves the air, they may not want that relationship to end. (Thankfully, they don't have to, as many shows live on for years after their cancellation on DVD and in syndication.) The best TV characters are ones that you feel like you know and that you'd want to be friends with.TV has brought many famous characters to life who have been extremely compelling, even if they are not entirely likeable. Viewers may not wish to know dangerous, shadowy figures like Tony Soprano, Vernon Schillinger, and Omar Little in reality, but following their exploits safely from the comfort of your living room can be appealing. Likewise, people who might be aloof or downright unpleasant in real life - think &quot;Mad Men's&quot; Don Draper or Al Swearengen of &quot;Deadwood&quot; - can prove charming, even admirable, when seen at a distance, with the subtext and intricacy that a top long-running TV show can provide.Who is the greatest TV character ever? This list contains the names of the greatest, most fascinating, and most enduring fictional characters from TV of all time. Be sure to vote for your favorites, and if some of your favorite popular characters aren't represented, go ahead and re-rank the list to contribute to the discussion.

Jerry Seinfeld

The Greatest TV Characters of All Time

Favorite TV Characters | List of Television's Greatest Characters

The Greatest Female TV Characters of All Time

Lists about the most memorable fictional characters in film, TV, and literature that will stick in our minds forever.

Characters We'll Never Forget

Fictional Characters

We all like to fantasize and daydream about our favorite <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fictional-characters-you-would-leave-your-woman-for/lisa-waugh?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">hot fictional characters</a>. Maybe you've struck some kind of a deal with your romantic partner - if Sam and Dean Winchester come to life, you're allowed a hall pass for the weekend. Or maybe you keep your passionate devotion to Fox Mulder or Han Solo on the down low. Whatever the case, it's fun to imagine what it would be like to spend time with one of these handsome fictional men. Categorizing them can be tricky, because some of these sexy, fictional dudes come with a lot of baggage. For example, we all know how sexy Christian Grey and Edward Cullen are, but would you REALLY want to deal with all of their weird emotional issues? Could you look past Loki's mischievous ways and look only to his righteous abs? Would Tony Stark's good looks be enough to drown out his extreme narcissism? These are the questions you'll have to answer as you pour over this list of fictional characters you'd leave your man for. How do your hot fictional characters skew? Are you more about the good guys, like Thor and Elliot Stabler, or do the bad boys get your blood flowing, like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Or are you interested in just the right mix of Stiles, Sherlock Holmes, and Magic Mike? However your list stacks up, have fun picking and choosing the fictional characters you'd leave your man for. A little crush on someone you could never actually get with is completely healthy and normal. Vote up the hottest fictional male characters, and be sure to add any to the list that we may have forgotten!

The Best Fictional Characters You'd Leave Your Man For

Male Fictional Characters You Would Leave Your Man For

Lisa Waugh

Friendship has its privileges. If we’re lucky enough, we all have that one special friend who we can rely on to get us both into and out of trouble. But imagine if your best friend was the Mother of Dragons or the President of the United States. This list features current <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-tv-characters-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV characters</a>&nbsp;of 2016-2017 you'd be BFFs with.Each television character on this list brings their own special set of assets. Some are relatable TV characters, pals like the girls from Broad City. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with Abbi and Illana for a New York City day of chilling?&nbsp;Others on this list can bring us to places we’ve never been before. Imagine having dinner at Downton Abbey with the Crawley family. Lady Mary may seem a bit chilly to some, but she’s proven to be trustworthy and generous, to both her friends and her family.If we were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/celebrity-bffs/celeb-stalker?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best friends</a> with Francis Underwood, sure we’d have to watch our backs. However, fancy White House dinners with celebrities and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/world-leaders-in-the-illuminati/mike-rothschild?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">powerful world leaders</a> sound intriguing enough to brush over the fact that President Underwood is a lying murderer. Besides, isn’t it better to have a person like Underwood as a friend rather than an enemy?Just in case you do get yourself into trouble with the likes of a Bart Simpson or Tyrion Lannister, imagine the value of having Alicia Florrick as a best friend. Has she ever lost a courtroom case?Make your voice heard and vote up the current TV characters you'd be friends with, IRL. Or, if your TV character dream best friend isn't yet listed, add him or her for others to vote as well!

Daenerys Targaryen

Current TV Characters You Would Want to Be BFFs With

Current TV Characters You Would Be Friends With, Ranked Best to Worst

Ann Casano

List of the greatest bad boys in TV history. Here is a listing of the cream of the crop when it comes to television's best bad boys. The best and the baddest of the bunch make their ensemble that much richer. Perhaps Samuel L. Jackson's character in &quot;Pulp Fiction&quot; would refer to the TV characters ranker here as &quot;BAMFS.&quot; Whatever tough guy categorization you would like to give these characters, they are undoubtedly the coolest -- if not particularly warm -- men to grace our screens every week. And nobody can down whiskey like Don Draper, just like nobody could scare television parents like bad boys next door Ryan Atwood (&quot;The O.C.&quot;) and Shawn Hunter (&quot;Boy Meets World&quot;).This list includes TV bad boy characters with dark brooding attitudes, leather jackets, motorcycles, dour dispositions, sad mysterious pasts, questionable ethics - and hopeful girls who love them anyway. Dylan McKay, Chuck Bass, and even The Fonz are at the top of our ranks. Vote up the quintessential bad boys on television to shape this list, or click rerank to make a version of your own.

Jess Mariano

The Greatest Bad Boys in TV History

Bad Boy Characters on TV | List of Best Bad Boys on Television

Lists about top designers for the fashionable male.

Fashion for Men

Lists about fashion for everyone from the oh-so-stylish to the adorably clueless.

Who Are You Wearing?

The best, worst, most interesting, questionable, and unforgettable clothes in pop culture history.

Fictional Fashion

List of the best dressed male TV characters currently on TV or from the past. These men prove that males have nearly as many fashion options as women, and they can rock clothes in the same styles, from boho to preppy to mod. This list includes the most fashionable men on TV, whether they dress elegantly or casually.When thinking of fashionable men on TV, it’s not uncommon to think of men in suits. The suit is, after all, classic men’s formal wear, along with the suit’s cousin, the tuxedo. The most stylish male characters on TV are classed as such because they know how to wear a suit well. Think of the perfectly groomed male cast of “Mad Men,” who not only wear complementary tie, shirt, and suit combos but also wear the finishing accessories that pull looks together: cufflinks, pocket squares, waistcoats, and more.Or consider fashionable male characters who are usually seen in casual wear. Whether in jeans or slacks, sweaters or t-shirts, these men are always coordinated and always sport polishing touches, such as hats, watches, scarves, or even designer socks. Prefer men in fantastic costume? The <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/hottest-male-celebrities?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">hottest male</a> TV stars pull off these looks, too. Can anyone forget the noble looks of Robb Stark (“Game of Thrones”)?This list contains the best dressed men on TV, the television characters audiences have tuned in to watch just to see what they’d be wearing. Whether they are wicked or altruistic, old or young, they’re all one thing: the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/most-stylish-female-celebrities?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most fashionable</a> male <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-tv-characters-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV characters</a> ever seen.

Tom Haverford

The Best Dressed Male TV Characters

Best Dressed Male TV Characters | Fashionable Men on Television

Ranker Characters

Iconic fictional characters seem immortal. They&rsquo;re stuck in our imagination at whatever age they were introduced to us. But what if you were wrong about the age of those <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-female-characters-in-literature?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous fictional characters</a>? In a way, that makes you wrong every time you think about them. Some fictional characters seem older than they actually are because of the awful things that happen to them (Daenerys Targaryen) or their level of maturity (Danny Tanner). Some seem younger than they actually are - like Samwise Gamgee - because of the way they look or act.&nbsp;

Check out this list of the real ages of fictional characters, vote up the fictional characters whose ages are different than you thought,&nbsp;and blow the minds of your friends and co-workers when you tell them at your next happy hour. &nbsp;

Worf Is 24 Years Old

17 Fictional Characters Whose Ages You Were Totally Wrong About

Liam Ross

Look, you watch enough of a show, you get to know the characters. Maybe you even care about them. Maybe you even love them. Or hate them. Or want to read tons of lists about them.

The People in Your TV

Everyone has their favorite TV&nbsp;characters.&nbsp;But are you sure your faves aren’t actually creepy TV&nbsp;characters bent on ruining the lives of everyone around them? Take another look at the sitcoms and dramas populating every channel, and you'll find a plethora of aggressive TV characters that seem normal, and even TV characters that are sexual predators.&nbsp;You shouldn’t feel bad for being taken in by these television monsters – some of their psychopathic behavior is pretty subtle.Creepy TV&nbsp;characters who don’t seem so creepy at first glance are different than your average antagonist. They may seem sweet or wholesome. They might even be cartoons.&nbsp;But the first chance they get, you'd better believe they're going to manipulate or otherwise take advantage of someone.It may hurt to find out which of your favorite television characters are actually nightmare people in disguise, but you just have to treat this information like a Band-Aid: rip it off quickly and the pain will go away.

13 TV Characters You Never Realized Are Sexual Predators And Total Creeps

13 TV Characters You Never Realized Are Sexual Predators

Jacob Shelton

Some guys just want to watch the world burn.

Villains and Bad Guys

Villains

A detailed list of the most well-liked and loveable TV anti-heroes. The most likeable TV protagonists are listed in order from most popular to least. These ambivalent but likeable anti-heroes of TV can be changed in order of popularity to fit the viewer’s opinions. Or, you can copy to make your very own list of your most favorite TV anti-heroes. This villain list can then be re-arranged to suit your ideas. &nbsp; These ambivalent villains are a mixture of both good and evil and have managed to tug at the viewer’s heartstrings over the years. Do you remember most of these anti-heroes? This list answers the question, “Who are the most popular and likeable antiheroes of television?” Taking you on a road down memory lane, this list allows you to see which anti-heroes of TV were the worst and which were <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-movie-villains-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the best villains</a> of TV shows. &nbsp; While some TV protagonists are pure evil, many have a touch of good in them that the viewer can easily see, making the viewer sympathetic towards these quite loveable villains of television series. The viewers can often find themselves wishing only the best results for these sometimes harmless TV villains. This list allows you to choose which television anti-hero you think is the best villain of television.

The Most Likeable TV Anti-Heroes

Best TV Anti-Heroes | List of Favorite Antiheroes on Television

Some of the greatest characters in this new <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-years-for-tv-shows/loganrapp?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">golden age of TV</a> are male right now, and their characters span centuries, cultures, and personalities of all types. The shows they're on range anywhere from fantasy to comedy to drama and everything in between. Which male characters are the best of the best on TV right now?Are you a Tyrion Lannister kind of person, or a Sheldon Cooper lover instead? The choice is up to you. Vote up all of your favorite male characters currently on TV, and add any that aren't already on the list.&nbsp;

Castiel

The Best Male Characters on TV Right Now

The Best Male Characters On TV Now, Ranked By Fans

It&#39;s not always easy to tell how old a character is on screen, especially since actors <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-are-older-than-you-realized/carly-silver" target="_blank">don&#39;t always play their own age</a>. Still, there are some characters that really shock you when you find out <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fictional-characters-older-than-they-look/eric-vega" target="_blank">how old they are supposed to be</a>. Sometimes, actors appear far younger than the characters they are playing, but the reverse is also true.

Check out the following fictional characters from popular films and TV&nbsp;and vote up the ones with the most unexpectedly immature ages.

Fictional Characters Who Are Way Younger Than You Think

Eric Luis

When it comes to &ldquo;fake-out&rdquo; deaths on TV,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s pretty hard to fool story-savvy fans these days. With a few shocking exceptions that&nbsp;actually went through with&nbsp;the kill, television writers in recent years have opted to have fun with dramatic&nbsp;demises, using the device to bring complexity to series narratives - and, of course, to shock us and&nbsp;shake things up. This gimmicky move has upset fans at times, but when it&#39;s done with&nbsp;lead characters and cast&nbsp;favorites we all know couldn&#39;t possibly be kicking the bucket, it can be a&nbsp;delightful diversion - something to contemplate and invent theories around until the writers inexorably explain the character&#39;s return.

This list examines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-wanted-to-be-killed-off-tv-shows/alexandra-plesa" target="_blank">TV deaths</a> and cliffhangers&nbsp;of main characters that we all pretty much&nbsp;knew would definitely live another day sooner or later. Sadly, some of these famous fake-outs have, in fact, now perished for real (characters and real-life actors). Vote up&nbsp;the most memorable fake-outs you saw through all along.

12 Fake-Out TV Deaths That No One Bought For A Second

TV Characters You Knew Would Get Resurrected

Lina Lecaro

Introverts are known for shunning crowds in favor of time alone to recharge and think—but, as any introvert knows, there's a lot going on inside.

Inside Introversion

Best TV

Great introvert&nbsp;TV characters show that <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/being-an-introvert/machk" target="_blank">being introverted</a>&nbsp;is different - and about so,&nbsp;so much more - than just being shy.&nbsp;In fact, many of the introverts listed here - like <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-intps/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">INPJ</a> Liz Lemon, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-intjs/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">INTJ</a>&nbsp;Sheldon Cooper, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-infps/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">INFP</a> Lisa Simpson - aren&#39;t really shy at all.&nbsp;They are introverts in the sense that their inner world is&nbsp;more important to them than socializing,&nbsp;they can be intellectually intense, and are hyper-focused on their goals. While they may have the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-that-introverts-have-the-hardest-time-with/analise.dubner" target="_blank">hardest time</a> with small talk and crowds, they&#39;re incredibly strong in other ways.

Many TV characters who are introverts are more relatable to viewers&nbsp;than over the top <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/annoying-extrovert-tv-characters/ranker-tv" target="_blank">extrovert TV characters</a>. In fact, some viewers may even find <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-introvert-characters-movies/ashley-reign" target="_blank">fictional introverts</a>&nbsp;more likable than their extrovert counterparts. Which of these introverted TV characters are your favorites? Vote up the characters that you love and add any others that you feel are missing.&nbsp;

The Best Introvert TV Characters

The 30+ Best Introvert TV Characters of All Time

What if your favorite characters were animated a different way?

Characters Redrawn

Fan Art

Zombies might just be the ultimate monsters. Thanks to shows like The Walking Dead, they have <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-zombie-characters/reference">become the default enemy</a>&nbsp;for the entire human race. It should come as no surprise, then, that the creative people of the internet have taken to reinterpreting&nbsp;their favorite characters as the undead.

This collection of zombie fan art&nbsp;not only&nbsp;shows how fictional figures might look like if they succumbed to the living dead but also demonstrates just how creepy any character can be&nbsp;with the right amount of changes. 

Considering how talented fan artists&nbsp;are,&nbsp;especially when it comes to depicting cartoons in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/non-human-cartoon-characters-reimagined-as-humans/crystal-brackett" target="_blank">new and unusual ways</a>, you&rsquo;ll likely be amazed at just how scary these zombie characters can be&nbsp;

11 Zombie Versions Of Your Favorite Characters That Are Both Spooky And Satisfying

These Zombie Versions Of Your Favorite Characters Are Perfectly Creepy

Nathan Gibson

Welcome, readers! If you had the choice of any TV character to be your sidekick - from SpongeBob Squarepants to Coach on&nbsp;Cheers&nbsp;- who would you pick? This is&nbsp;your chance to imagine yourself as&nbsp;a superhero and pick your perfect sidekick. This list of potential sidekicks has a wide selection of characters who can support you in battle or even provide comic relief&nbsp;(or just look cool standing around).

Pick from the most amusing, loyal, popular companions and partners-in-crime from television.&nbsp;Vote up the TV&nbsp;sidekicks who bring&nbsp;out the hero in you!

What TV Character Would You Want To Be Your Sidekick If You Were A Superhero?

Team826LA

Lists about real and fictional mysteries and the people who solved them—or at least tried to.

Mysteries & Detectives

In reality, no investigator can solve every case that comes across their desk, but TV is far from real life. The following prolific sleuths&nbsp;never met a mystery from which they couldn&#39;t tease the truth&nbsp;or a bad actor they couldn&rsquo;t bring down.

While <a href="https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/crime-enf.page" target="_blank">clearance rates</a> in New York City, for example, generally land between 30% and 60%, these fictional detectives close&nbsp;their cases 100% of the time. Sure, it&rsquo;s satisfying for the viewer, but it sets an incredibly unrealistic standard. If only there really were a Dr. Cal Lightman, who can spot any untruth a mile away, or Veronica Mars, who looks beyond her teenage melodrama to get to the bottom of every mystery that comes her way - and&nbsp;boy, there are a lot of devious plots for these genius investigators to work out!

Vote up these entertaining&nbsp;but thoroughly unrealistic&nbsp;small-screen detectives you&#39;d want in your corner.

TV Investigators Who Have Astronomically High Solve Rates

Erin Cody

Historical Figures

Certain people in history are engrained into the fabric of society, known by their famous faces, their famous tales, and their famous names. And a lot of them never really existed. That’s right —&nbsp;some of your favorite spokespersons, authors, and icons are nothing more than the brainchildren of some very creative people. That doesn’t make them any less interesting. It just makes them a little less, well, real.While there are plenty of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/real-people-who-inspired-iconic-characters/robert-wabash" target="_blank">fictional characters inspired by real people</a>, including a few on this list, the names on this list are pure fiction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Famous People Who Never Actually Existed

12 Famous People Who Never Actually Existed

Abby Heugel

Take a breather as we rank TV&rsquo;s most toxic characters. Characters who are toxic can be manipulative, self-serving, egotistic, and uncaring. These characters share all those traits - and then some.

It&rsquo;s easy to pick out all the toxic characters on TV because they&#39;re usually the ones who&nbsp;cause&nbsp;the most chaos. Their selfishness tends to seep into other characters&rsquo; lives and they show no remorse for their actions. From Dennis Reynolds in It&rsquo;s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, this list includes all the characters we love to hate. Sometimes, though, we still care about these characters regardless of how rude, crude, or downright shrewd they might be.&nbsp;

Whether you think Cersei Lannister is the most toxic TV character&nbsp;or believe that honor should go to Walter White in Breaking Bad, make your voice heard by voting up all the&nbsp;toxic characters you love to hate. See someone missing? Add them to the list below!

The Most Toxic TV Characters

The 20+ Most Toxic TV Characters, Ranked

Get ready to feel manipulated as we rank the greatest and most memorable sociopaths in TV history. Sociopathic characters make for some of the most interesting TV you&rsquo;ll ever see. They can be misanthropes, misogynists, homicidal maniacs, or all of the above! &nbsp;

From Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal) to Dennis Reynolds (It&rsquo;s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), the best sociopaths on TV&nbsp;are usually&nbsp;rude, conniving, and self-centered - which is probably what makes them so interesting! Bad characters make for great TV, and these are some of the worst and most egotistical characters to ever grace the small screen. But while some of the characters on this list of TV sociopaths are legitimately evil, others are just really, really vain. Which of these charming TV sociopaths is your favorite? Some of the scariest sociopaths on TV include twisted, little king Joffrey Baratheon of&nbsp;Game of Thrones&nbsp;and the ruthless Francis Underwood on&nbsp;House of Cards.

Vote up the greatest sociopaths on TV - not because they want you to, but because YOU want to! Share this&nbsp;list of TV characters who are sociopaths with your friends, and add any characters you think are missing.

The Most Memorable Sociopaths In TV History

The 25+ Best TV Sociopaths, Ranked By Fans

When you need to track down a mysterious person or find the real culprit, these detectives are on the case. Sure, it may cost you a pretty penny, but sleuthing is hard work. Batman has solved all sorts of crimes around Gotham City. Sherlock Holmes, a notable inspiration for Batman, has also cleaned up the streets and put some of London&#39;s most hardened criminals behind bars. These detectives have tangoed with serial killers, cyborgs, and femme fatales - and that&#39;s all before breakfast.

This list of detective characters has some of the best gumshoes in the business. Some may drink a little harder than others, and some may prefer to stick to the shadows, but that doesn&#39;t make them any less effective. In fact, it&#39;s their unique character traits that often help them uncover&nbsp;hidden clues.

Vote up your favorite detectives who have appeared in films and TV shows, and vote down all the other amateurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Best Fictional Detectives

The Best Fictional Detectives, Ranked Best To Worst

Ranker Entertainment

There simply are not many asexual fictional characters in television, film, and literature.&nbsp; As so many stories center around the drama of romantic entanglements, some writers struggle to create&nbsp;three dimensional characters if sex is off the table. This is a problem exasperated by the fact&nbsp;there are so few models to follow when it comes to portraying asexuality. However, as diverse depictions of sexual orientation are becoming increasingly common in media, there are more and more books, movies, and TV shows depicting <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-asexuality/samantha-dillinger" target="_blank">asexuality</a>.&nbsp;Some of these characters who are asexual are out of the closet and have confirmed their orientation. This is more common with contemporary programs, as asexuality awareness is on the rise. However, some characters never explicitly state their sexuality, but it is heavily implied and sometimes even verified by a writer or actor and thus confirmed in a roundabout way.&nbsp;The exploration of asexual characters in the media has helped society understand an underrepresented segment of the population. Browse this list to learn more about depictions of asexuality in fiction!&nbsp;

Fictional Characters Who Are Asexual

20+ Popular Fictional Characters Who Are Asexual

There&#39;s something undeniably appealing about the Victorian Era. Everybody in Victorian movies and shows dressed so fancily, acted so properly, and spoke so British-ly. Over the years, audiences have been exposed to hundreds of Victorian characters. Some of the greatest Victorian characters of all time are brilliant detectives like Sherlock Holmes, while others are brilliantly reformed thieves like Les Miserables&#39; Jean Valjean, or even brilliant lovers like Pride and Prejudice&#39;s Mr. Darcy.

The wide variety of characteristics among these Victorian characters&nbsp;is what makes choosing the greatest so difficult. Do we vote up brains, beauty, or blatant Britishness? No matter what you decide, Ranker&#39;s created a list of the best of the best Victorian characters for you to arrange into a social hierarchy. Which of these characters is your favorite?

Vote up the best Victorian characters to see who&#39;s the most popular. Don&#39;t see one of your favorite socialites? Add them to the list yourself!

The Best Victorian Characters

The Best Victorian Characters In Movies & TV

The greatest actors disappear into roles, leaving behind only unforgettable characters. Let's rank 'em.

Character Actor Characters

Robert Downey Jr. may be best known as Iron Man, but this A-list actor has portrayed all kinds of different characters in his career. In fact, he appeared in his first role when he was only five years old. From fighting supervillains as Tony Stark to solving crimes as Sherlock Holmes, RDJ has one of the most impressive - and versatile - resumes in Hollywood. Which of his characters is your favorite?

In the 1980s, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in a string of&nbsp;teen comedies. In Back to School, he played Derek Lutz, a young and outspoken college student who ends up befriending Rodney Dangerfield, and in The Pick-up Artist, he played Jack Jericho, a serial womanizer who falls for Molly Ringwald. In 1992, Robert Downey Jr. captivated audiences with his role as Charlie Chaplin. The film was nominated for a handful of awards - earning RDJ his first BAFTA for Best Actor.&nbsp;

Vote up Robert Downey Jr.&rsquo;s best characters, and if you think someone&rsquo;s missing, add them to the list. And if you love these characters, be sure to cast your vote in our <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/robert-downey-jr-movies-and-films-and-filmography/reference" target="_blank">Robert Downey Jr. movies list</a>.

The Best Robert Downey Jr. Characters

The Best Robert Downey Jr. Characters, Ranked

Conspiracies

When it comes to conspiracy theories, it&rsquo;s the characters that make&nbsp;these movies and shows so great. No matter how many twists, cliffhangers, or double-agents, these characters constantly brave the odds to expose the truth - even if it means putting their own lives at risk.

Whether you like a complex, series-long conspiracy in the vein of Homeland or something more episodic along the lines of Law &amp; Order and&nbsp;the X-Files, there&#39;s no denying that the characters on this list will guide you through all the wild twists and turns of any good conspiracy with charm and style to spare.&nbsp;FBI agents Mulder and Scully are out to expose the truth, but&nbsp;Eleven packs some serious superpowers.&nbsp;Which character is your favorite?

Check your hotel room for listening devices, dust for fingerprints, and vote up the best conspiracy characters in film and TV. And if you notice your favorite character&nbsp;isn&#39;t listed, add them!

The Best Conspiracy Characters In Movies & TV

The Best Fictional Conspiracy Characters, Ranked

Lists about common and uncommon developmental and mental disorders, conditions, and syndromes and the people who live with them.

Disorders and Syndromes

While a character like Max Braverman from Parenthood was officially diagnosed with <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-with-aspergers-syndrome/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">Asperger’s syndrome, </a>as part of a storyline on the drama, most TV characters who are probably autistic have not been recognized. Over the past ten years or so, there have been several TV shows that depict autism or have&nbsp;characters with Asperger's. Some of these fictional characters on the spectrum will seem pretty obvious, while others may surprise you.Some of the <a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/" target="_blank">defining characteristics of Asperger’s</a> include: obsession with odd things or unusual topics, limited social ability, the need for a set routine, robotic speech, an inability to make eye contact, awkward mannerisms, the inability to pick up on social cues, and the inability to detect sarcasm. Different people who are on the spectrum will display different traits. Do any of these symptoms remind you of your favorite television character?Is it weird that Abed from Community uses his insane knowledge of pop culture as a means to communicate? Is it odd that Crazy Eyes from Orange is the New Black nearly loses her mind during the prison riot because her daily routine gets totally out of whack? Ever wonder why Sherlock Holmes does not have any friends?Check out these fascinating TV characters on the spectrum. While it’s true that their creators may not have officially announced their diagnosis, there’s at least enough evidence to make a strong case. Did we miss any of your <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-tv-characters-of-all-time" target="_blank">favorite fictional characters </a>on the spectrum? Let us know in the comments section.&nbsp;

TV Characters You Never Realized Are On The Spectrum

9 TV Characters You Never Realized Are On The Spectrum

Lists about common mental illnesses and disorders and the many people around the world and throughout history who have lived with them.

A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Debunking

However unfortunate, it’s not very common to see accurate depictions of mental illness on TV. While some shows do broach mental health, they often do it in a superficial and frustrating way. Or worse, in the form of a “very special” episode. Remember the &quot;Shape Up&quot; episode of&nbsp;Full House when DJ&nbsp;had an <a href="https://therealfullhousereviewed.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/season-4-episode-8-shape-up/">eating disorder that she overcame in like 20 minutes</a>? Or when every procedural character ever suffering from mental illness was also a genius “thanks” to their disorder?&nbsp;That’s why it’s incredibly refreshing to stumble upon a TV show that depicts mental illness in an honest and realistic way. Even when the disorder isn’t portrayed as accurately as it could possibly be, it’s still invigorating to see a protagonist who struggles with mental issues live their day-to-day lives as productively as possible.&nbsp;To celebrate these much-needed and rare shows, take a closer look at a few TV characters with mental illness. Not only that, but read on to get&nbsp;real peoples' responses&nbsp;and assessments of the way mental illness gets portrayed on the small screen.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

TV Characters With Mental Illness (And How Accurately They're Portrayed)

12 TV Characters with Mental Illness and How Accurate They Are

Alexandra Plesa

Ranking the best (and worst) fictional love interests of actors and actresses whose characters just always seem to be coupled up.

On-Screen Shipping

We’re ranking the best on-screen love interests in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/rachel-mcadams-movies-and-films-and-filmography/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Rachel McAdams movies</a>. You may not realize it, but&nbsp;Rachel's has been matched with&nbsp;a&nbsp;pretty well-rounded selection of Hollywood's leading men.Over the course of her career, she's enjoyed the pleasure of fake falling in love with Hollywood heartthrobs like Ryan Gosling in The Notebook,&nbsp;swooning over Marvel superheroes like Benedict Cumberbatch in Dr. Strange, and even falling head over heels for hilarious nice guys like Jason Bateman in Game Night and Owen Wilson in Wedding Crashers. Which of her co-star matches do you think&nbsp;brought the steam to the big screen?Here you'll get to decide as you peruse this list&nbsp;of Rachel's best movie love interests. Vote up the guy (or guys) you think&nbsp;best played her better half in order to create a great film couple.&nbsp;Then watch them climb the ranks and see who earns the top spot&nbsp;as the best Rachel McAdams movie love interest of them all.

All The Love Interests In Rachel McAdams Movies, Ranked

Love Interests In Rachel McAdams Movies, Ranked Best To Worst

Ranker Film

The Best TV Lists - Find or Make a TV Characters List  | Ranker  | Ranker - A World of Lists

The Best Film Lists - Find or Make a Film Characters List  | Ranker  | Ranker - A World of Lists

Video Game Character

Other

Best Rankings of Random Cool Facts + Stuff

other

Performances

Sherlock Holmes is always on the case, but which of these actors played him best? As one of the biggest literary characters in history, there have been dozens of different actors to don the checkered cap and pipe and set up residence at 221B Baker Street. Some were memorable, while others were downright forgettable.

Created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and first appearing <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sherlock-holmes-shorts-stories/ranker-books" target="_blank">in the 1887 novel</a> A Study in Scarlet, Mr. Holmes has&nbsp;been reimagined and recreated numerous times over the years. And while there have been hundreds of different actors to play Sherlock Holmes either on stage or over the airwaves, this list is strictly focusing on all the Sherlocks&nbsp;from live-action movies and TV shows.

Ever wondered who was the best Sherlock? Well, now&rsquo;s your chance to weigh in. Whether you prefer Benedict Cumberbatch&rsquo;s version as Sherlock or prefer Robert Downey Jr. or&nbsp;even Will Ferrell&#39;s comedic portrayal, vote up all your favorite <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-sherlock-holmes-cast-list-for-the-show-sherlock-holmes/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Sherlock Holmes actors</a>.

The Best Actors Who Played Sherlock, Ranked

Actor

Ranking All The Best Sherlock Holmes Actors In Film & TV

Mysteries

Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. have <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-played-sherlock/ranker-entertainment" target="_blank">played the British detective</a> -&nbsp;and his persona inspired television characters like <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-season-of-house/reference" target="_blank">Dr. Gregory House</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;but long before any actor ever donned a cap and pipe, Sherlock Holmes made his debut in literature. Below, you&#39;ll find every Sherlock Holmes book and short story, ranked from best to worst by your votes. Read on&nbsp;for a comprehensive list of every appearance&nbsp;the universally recognizable sleuth made throughout the works of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/arthur-conan-doyle-trivia-facts/tamar-altebarmakian" target="_blank">Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</a>! What is the best book in the Sherlock Holmes series? Help decide!&nbsp; 
 
While it attracted little attention when it originally debuted,&nbsp;Holmes first appeared in&nbsp;A Study in Scarlet in 1887.&nbsp;Now, the novel is considered one of the best Sherlock Holmes books.&nbsp;Hound of the Baskervilles&nbsp;is another one of the most beloved in the Sherlock Holmes series. This novel &ndash; which was serialized in The Strand Magazine from early 1900s&ndash; finds Holmes uncovering the truth about a supernatural hound. A Scandal in Bohemia is the first short story of many tales that feature Sherlock Holmes. Other good books featuring the detective include The Adventure of Silver Blaze, The Adventure of the Norwood Builder, and The Adventure of the Speckled Band, all of which feature Sidney Paget&#39;s iconic artwork. 
 
What&#39;s the best Sherlock Holmes book or story? Give your favorites a thumbs up below!&nbsp;

Every Sherlock Holmes Story, Ranked Best to Worst

Book

All Sherlock Holmes Books, Ranked Best to Worst

Ranker Books

Sherlock is a gripping action/mystery that garnered the love and affection of hordes of fans, but if you&rsquo;ve finished watching the series, there&rsquo;s no need for despair: There are plenty of movies and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-tv-shows-to-binge-watch/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV shows to watch</a> if you like Sherlock, and we&rsquo;ve compiled the best ones right here for you right here!

TV shows similar to Sherlock often pair interesting characters with equally fascinating situations, and if you&rsquo;re looking for more immersive plots, Doctor Who is sure to fill the void. This show is genre-defining sci-fi. And if you think there aren&rsquo;t also some good movies like Sherlock, then think again, because we&rsquo;ve found quite a few that are sure to tickle the fancies of even the hardest-to-please fans. Take Sherlock Holmes, for instance. This movie takes the familiar theme, but casts Robert Downey Jr. as the titular hero, and is a great choice for any Sherlock fan.

But you don&rsquo;t have to take our word for it - some of Sherlock&rsquo;s biggest fans have chimed in and cast their votes for the best movies and TV shows like Sherlock, and once you&rsquo;ve watched, you can cast your votes too!

So, what are your favorite Sherlock-esque movies and TV shows? Vote the best projects up to the top of this list.

 
With more than 40 million people visiting Ranker every month, we are able to offer you data-driven recommendations based on voting across thousands of film &amp; TV polls.

What to Watch If You Love 'Sherlock'

Movies & TV Shows Like Sherlock All Fans Should Check Out

watchworthy

Movie Quotes

Mr. Holmes movie quotes bring the classic character of Sherlock Holmes back to theaters for a look at his life in retirement. The crime mystery drama, using the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was based on the book A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin and adapted into a screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher. Bill Condon directed Mr. Holmes, which opened in British theaters on June 19, 2015, then in American theaters on July 17, 2015.In Mr. Holmes, the long-serving detective Sherlock Holmes (Sir Ian McKellen) is now retired and living in a farmhouse with his bees, housekeeper Mrs. Monro (Laura Linney) and her son, Roger (Milo Parker). While his mind is failing him in his old age of 93, he can't shake the feeling that he needs to re-write the account of what happened in his last case as his former partner, Dr. Watson (Colin Starkey), used some artistic license in his account.So, with the help of Roger, Holmes sets off to first remember the case and write down his account of the events. In flashbacks, he remembers being approached by husband Thomas (Patrick Kennedy) who was concerned about his wife, Ann (Hattie Morahan). When Ann ends up dead, it's up to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to crack the case. But in Holmes' recollection, he realizes more about the case than he ever knew before, ultimately finding the closure he sought.Mr. Holmes hits theaters alongside other great films such as <a href="/list/ant-man-movie-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Ant-Man</a>, <a href="/list/trainwreck-movie-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Trainwreck</a>, <a href="/list/minions-movie-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Minions</a>, and <a href="/list/boulevard-movie-quotes/movie-and-tv-quotes" target="_blank">Boulevard</a>.

Sherlock Holmes

Lists about Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is listed on