There’s nothing quite like binge-watching a thrilling show led by a sharp detective at its helm, while piecing together clues and deducing motives along with him. It’s a feeling I know all too well, so if you’re like me and have raced through BBC’s Sherlock, and are now looking for similar shows to watch next, you’re in the right place. Whether you love twisty plots, or the satisfaction of watching a detective outsmart everyone in the room and bringing a perpetrator to justice, these 10 shows will keep you hooked. So grab your notepad and a pen, and let’s jump right in!
Poirot (1989)
Lovers of old-school whodunits can’t go wrong with Agatha Christie’s Poirot. The Belgian detective solves crimes in a structured methodical way, much like Byomkesh Bakshi. Each episode follows a predictable format and is self-contained, but stakes feel just as high, only in an elegant way (honestly it’s the only way to describe this!) The gorgeous sets and costumes transport the viewers into 1930s England. However, younger viewers may miss the melodrama that Sherlock provides, as Poirot moves at a more glacial pace. Where Patrick Jane isn’t afraid to con his way into investigations in The Mentalist, Poirot is more moralistic, though they both share psychological profiling as methods of deduction. Poirot is ambiguous as a character with some people loving his brilliance and some people (including Christie herself) finding him insufferable, and honestly, kind of a diva and it shows on screen. For people who want polished detectives set in a period setting, try Grantchester or Father Brown.
The Mentalist (2008)
For those who love their detectives with charm and trauma, The Mentalist scratches that itch. The show follows Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), an ex-psychic (a fake, by the way) who now uses manipulation and observation to help crack cases (including flirting with the suspects!) Though each episode follows a different case with a procedural format, the ‘Red John’ arc throughout the show (just like the Moriarty arc in Sherlock), adds heightened stakes. Though Jane and Lucifer are both emotionally flawed leads, where they differ is their motivation; revenge drives Jane, whereas Lucifer is exploring free will. The Mentalist is extremely watchable, thanks in large part to Baker’s charisma and Jane’s clever and sneaky methods that always keeps him a few steps ahead. If you loved Sherlock’s power of deduction and the genius-loner archetype, The Mentalist should be next on your list.
Bones (2005)
If you enjoy crime procedurals mixed with science and banter like Numb3rs, then Bones will appeal to you. Like Holmes from Elementary, Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan is a brilliant yet awkward oddball, who evolves from detachment over the course of the show. It’s as though Sherlock were blended with Grey’s Anatomy, only with fewer patients and more corpses. The team dynamic carries the show, unlike Luther, where the main character pretty much takes up all the screen time. Bones’ chemistry with her partner Booth is also a highlight of the show, similar to Lucifer’s relationship with his detective-partner Chloe Decker in Lucifer. Though I found some of the later seasons repetitive and running too long, the workplace dynamics and creative plots ultimately persuaded me to see it through.
Shekhar Home (2024)
If Sherlock Holmes donned Byomkesh Bakshi’s personality, we’d get Shekhar Home. This earnest Sherlock Holmes adaptation isn’t well known, but deserves to be on the list as it does a lot with what it has. Shekhar Home keeps Aurthur Conan Doyle’s original plots intact, but brings a fresh Bengali twist to a classic Holmes-esque atmosphere. If you’ve been wanting to explore Holmes as a character through an Indian cultural lens, then this one’s for you. With a more low-key ambiance as opposed to Sherlock and less sleek as compared to Elementary, Shekhar Home brings storytelling to the forefront. People who liked Byomkesh Bakshi’s quiet intellect but weren’t fans of Lucifer’s flashy personality, will vibe with this show.
Lucifer (2016)
Mix Sherlock’s ego, Patrick Jane’s charm, and throw in some daddy issues and fiery wings, and you’ve got Lucifer Morningstar—the literal Devil. After being thrown out of hell, Lucifer joins the LAPD and solves crimes with Chloe Decker, a detective with whom he has a will-they-won’t-they relationship, all while moonlighting as a nightclub owner. Tom Ellis’s charismatic performance as our titular lead, supernatural arcs, and humour truly makes this show top-notch. The best part about the show is Lucifer being unabashedly himself without trying to hide who he is (in fact he repeatedly tells everyone who’ll listen that he’s the actual Devil, but no one believes him of course). Both Sherlock and Lucifer are narcissistic geniuses, to say the least, and both are not the best at maintaining relationships; however, Lucifer redeems himself, whereas Sherlock lives in avoidance. If you enjoyed shows like Sleepy Hollow for its supernatural themes mixed with mysteries, or magnetic leads like Nick Burkhardt in Grimm, then you’ll also love Lucifer.
Murdoch Mysteries (2008)
If you like your detectives calm, composed, and extremely handy with whipping up a new scientific gadget in Victorian Toronto, then Detective William Murdoch is your guy. Murdoch Mysteriesb follows the most gentle detective on our list as he solves mysteries in a scientific manner usually by inventing his own machines (like an early prototype of a lie detector) to help out with investigations, similar to Bones. What’s funny is that if you like Sherlock, the author of the character, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself appears on the show, along with Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain, among others, for an alt-history flair. If you’re a fan of fast paced shows or shows with higher stakes, then this might not be the best fit, you’d be better off watching Lucifer or Luther instead. But if you're a fan of cozy mysteries without a lot of blood and gore, or shows set in a period setting like Poirot, then you’ll love Murdoch Mysteries.
Byomkesh Bakshi (1993)
Do you love Sherlock but wished you could find something intellectually similar? Enter Byomkesh Bakshi, a “truth-seeker.” Along with his ‘Watson’ Ajit, and his mature and intuitive nature, Byomkesh embarks on solving crimes while he navigates moral complexity. Watching Byomkesh Bakshi feels like the viewer has been dropped into a philosophy seminar which happens to include a murderous plot. People who love adrenaline rushes wouldn’t find it in this show; it mirrors the tone of Murdoch Mysteries with its thoughtful and slower pace. Unlike Poirot, whose stories are more refined, Byomkesh Bakshi’s stories are quieter. To be honest, if Byomkesh met either Sherlock or Lucifer, he’d find them exhausting. If you’re someone who loves culturally rich shows with an instinctive lead, similar to Shekhar Home, then Byomkesh Bakshi must be added to your watch list.
The Irregulars (2021)
The Irregulars did something that didn't seem possible. Where Sherlock Holmes is portrayed as eccentric and logical in mostly all of the adaptations, The Irregulars flips the script. It brings in a group of teens, the Baker Street ‘irregulars,’ who solve supernatural crimes while Holmes is a washed up addict, offscreen. It’s as though Stranger Things and IT got together, with a splash of Sherlock. The show gives the spotlight to the people who are usually behind the wings in traditional Holmes stories. Though it was cancelled after one season, it was compelling enough to watch in one sitting. The Irregulars is less cerebral compared to Sherlock, but tonally the psychological and emotional weight is similar to Luther. If you enjoy moody shows with found family tropes like Orphan Black, then this one is for you.
Luther (2010)
Idris Elba doesn’t just solve puzzles as DCI John Luther in this raw and gritty show, he dives headfirst into the chaos of the investigations. For viewers who don’t want a poised detective who solves crimes methodically, but want an intense lead and a plot containing morally gray areas, Luther would be the right pick. Luther exudes an air of darkness that comes with him being human while Sherlock turns up the pretentiousness. He is the most conflicted lead in this list. Though Luther and Sherlock are both based in London, Luther opts for a more dark cinematography whereas Sherlock is more stylish. The series is violent and showcases some brutal crimes that could leave you in discomfort, so it’s best for mature viewers rather than younger ones. If you like noir shows with unhinged leads like Mindhunter, then you must watch Luther next.
Elementary (2012)
Set in 21st century New York, Elementary brings a Sherlock Holmes who’s real to the forefront. Holmes grapples with addiction and trauma, and his growth over the seasons is truly the highlight. Swapping the grim and stoic John Watson for a female Joan Watson gives the show a unique twist; she’s more than just a sidekick, she also has an evolving character arc. If you love watching mystery shows with smart, character-driven stories, and a refreshing platonic relationship, then Elementary is the one to watch. It tops our list for giving us a truly human Holmes who nails the “genius without arrogance” personality down pat. Also, without giving too much away, Sherlock’s arc nemesis Moriarty’s reveal genuinely took me aback when I watched it for the first time. While Sherlock is more nuanced, Elementary is more emotional with depth. If you like shows with a Law & Order format along with an over-the-season arc like The Mentalist or Sherlock, then you need to watch this show.
