List of Sherlock episodes
Updated: 5/20/2026, 8:13:15 PM Wikipedia source
Sherlock is a mystery crime drama television series that presents a contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories. It was created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson. The first series of three episodes aired in 2010, while series two aired in 2012, and a third series aired in the first quarter of 2014. A single episode aired in 2016, as a Victorian-era special, followed by a fourth series in 2017. As of 15 January 2017, 13 episodes of Sherlock have aired, including one special, concluding the fourth series. In January 2014, Moffat confirmed that a fifth series had been plotted; however, as to the future of the series, Gatiss stated that due to the conflicting schedules of Cumberbatch and Freeman, a potential fifth season is still up in the air. The third series has become the UK's most watched drama series since 2001, and Sherlock has been sold to over 200 territories. Sherlock depicts "consulting detective" Holmes, assisting the Metropolitan Police Service, primarily Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade (Rupert Graves), in solving various crimes. Holmes is assisted by his flatmate, Dr. John Watson, who has returned from military service in Afghanistan. Although the series depicts a variety of crimes and perpetrators, Holmes' conflict with his archenemy Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott) is a recurring feature. Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey), a pathologist at Bart's Hospital occasionally assists Holmes in his cases. Other recurring roles include the landlady of Holmes and Watson Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), and Sherlock's brother Mycroft Holmes (co-creator Mark Gatiss).
Tables
First released
First released
Series
First released
Episodes
Last released
1
1
Series
1
Episodes
3
Episodes
25 July 2010 (2010-07-25)
Originally released
8 August 2010 (2010-08-08)
Originally released
8
UK viewers
(in millions)
—N/a
2
2
Series
2
Episodes
3
Episodes
1 January 2012 (2012-01-01)
Originally released
15 January 2012 (2012-01-15)
Originally released
10
UK viewers
(in millions)
4
3
3
Series
3
Episodes
3
Episodes
1 January 2014 (2014-01-01)
Originally released
12 January 2014 (2014-01-12)
Originally released
11
UK viewers
(in millions)
6
Special
Special
Series
Special
Episodes
1 January 2016 (2016-01-01)
Episodes
11
Originally released
3
4
4
Series
4
Episodes
3
Episodes
1 January 2017 (2017-01-01)
Originally released
15 January 2017 (2017-01-15)
Originally released
10
UK viewers
(in millions)
—N/a
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | UK viewers (in millions) | US viewers (in millions) | ||
| First released | Last released | |||||
| 1 | 3 | 25 July 2010 (2010-07-25) | 8 August 2010 (2010-08-08) | 8 | —N/a | |
| 2 | 3 | 1 January 2012 (2012-01-01) | 15 January 2012 (2012-01-15) | 10 | 4 | |
| 3 | 3 | 1 January 2014 (2014-01-01) | 12 January 2014 (2014-01-12) | 11 | 6 | |
| Special | 1 January 2016 (2016-01-01) | 11 | 3 | |||
| 4 | 3 | 1 January 2017 (2017-01-01) | 15 January 2017 (2017-01-15) | 10 | —N/a | |
· Episodes › Series 1 (2010)
1
1
No.
overall
1
No. in
series
1
Title
"A Study in Pink"
Directed by
Paul McGuigan
Written by
Steven Moffat
Original release date
25 July 2010 (2010-07-25) (UK)
24 October 2010 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
8 (UK)
The police investigate a series of deaths related to people who all appear to have committed suicide by taking a poisonous pill. They turn to their unofficial consultant, Sherlock Holmes, who deduces various elements pointing to a serial killer. Meanwhile, Holmes is introduced to John Watson, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, and the pair
The police investigate a series of deaths related to people who all appear to have committed suicide by taking a poisonous pill. They turn to their unofficial consultant, Sherlock Holmes, who deduces various elements pointing to a serial killer. Meanwhile, Holmes is introduced to John Watson, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, and the pair
No.
overall
The police investigate a series of deaths related to people who all appear to have committed suicide by taking a poisonous pill. They turn to their unofficial consultant, Sherlock Holmes, who deduces various elements pointing to a serial killer. Meanwhile, Holmes is introduced to John Watson, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, and the pair
2
2
No.
overall
2
No. in
series
2
Title
"The Blind Banker"
Directed by
Euros Lyn
Written by
Stephen Thompson
Original release date
1 August 2010 (2010-08-01) (UK)
31 October 2010 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
7 (UK)
Sherlock is hired by an old friend to investigate a mysterious break-in at a bank in the City. He discovers that symbols spray-painted onto an office wall are a coded message intended for an employee of the bank, who is later discovered dead in his flat. The next day, a journalist is killed and the same symbols are found nearby. Sherlock and John f
Sherlock is hired by an old friend to investigate a mysterious break-in at a bank in the City. He discovers that symbols spray-painted onto an office wall are a coded message intended for an employee of the bank, who is later discovered dead in his flat. The next day, a journalist is killed and the same symbols are found nearby. Sherlock and John f
No.
overall
Sherlock is hired by an old friend to investigate a mysterious break-in at a bank in the City. He discovers that symbols spray-painted onto an office wall are a coded message intended for an employee of the bank, who is later discovered dead in his flat. The next day, a journalist is killed and the same symbols are found nearby. Sherlock and John f
3
3
No.
overall
3
No. in
series
3
Title
"The Great Game"
Directed by
Paul McGuigan
Written by
Mark Gatiss
Original release date
8 August 2010 (2010-08-08) (UK)
7 November 2010 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
8 (UK)
Sherlock is commissioned by Mycroft to investigate the suspicious death of a government employee, who was working on a top-secret defence project: the Bruce-Partington Project. After rejecting the case and handing it over to John, Sherlock begins to be taunted by a criminal who puts his victims into explosive vests and sets Sherlock deadlines to so
Sherlock is commissioned by Mycroft to investigate the suspicious death of a government employee, who was working on a top-secret defence project: the Bruce-Partington Project. After rejecting the case and handing it over to John, Sherlock begins to be taunted by a criminal who puts his victims into explosive vests and sets Sherlock deadlines to so
No.
overall
Sherlock is commissioned by Mycroft to investigate the suspicious death of a government employee, who was working on a top-secret defence project: the Bruce-Partington Project. After rejecting the case and handing it over to John, Sherlock begins to be taunted by a criminal who puts his victims into explosive vests and sets Sherlock deadlines to so
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | |
| 1 | 1 | "A Study in Pink" | Paul McGuigan | Steven Moffat | 25 July 2010 (2010-07-25) (UK) 24 October 2010 (US) | 8 (UK) | |
| The police investigate a series of deaths related to people who all appear to have committed suicide by taking a poisonous pill. They turn to their unofficial consultant, Sherlock Holmes, who deduces various elements pointing to a serial killer. Meanwhile, Holmes is introduced to John Watson, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, and the pair | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Blind Banker" | Euros Lyn | Stephen Thompson | 1 August 2010 (2010-08-01) (UK) 31 October 2010 (US) | 7 (UK) | |
| Sherlock is hired by an old friend to investigate a mysterious break-in at a bank in the City. He discovers that symbols spray-painted onto an office wall are a coded message intended for an employee of the bank, who is later discovered dead in his flat. The next day, a journalist is killed and the same symbols are found nearby. Sherlock and John f | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Great Game" | Paul McGuigan | Mark Gatiss | 8 August 2010 (2010-08-08) (UK) 7 November 2010 (US) | 8 (UK) | |
| Sherlock is commissioned by Mycroft to investigate the suspicious death of a government employee, who was working on a top-secret defence project: the Bruce-Partington Project. After rejecting the case and handing it over to John, Sherlock begins to be taunted by a criminal who puts his victims into explosive vests and sets Sherlock deadlines to so | |||||||
· Episodes › Series 2 (2012)
4
4
No.
overall
4
No. in
series
1
Title
"A Scandal in Belgravia"
Directed by
Paul McGuigan
Written by
Steven Moffat
Original release date
1 January 2012 (2012-01-01) (UK)
6 May 2012 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
10 (UK)
3 (US)
Moriarty chooses to let Sherlock and John go after receiving a phone call. Some time later, Mycroft hires Sherlock and John to retrieve compromising photos of a minor royal, which are held on the camera phone of Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), a ruthless and brilliant dominatrix who also trades in classified information extracted from her rich and power
Moriarty chooses to let Sherlock and John go after receiving a phone call. Some time later, Mycroft hires Sherlock and John to retrieve compromising photos of a minor royal, which are held on the camera phone of Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), a ruthless and brilliant dominatrix who also trades in classified information extracted from her rich and power
No.
overall
Moriarty chooses to let Sherlock and John go after receiving a phone call. Some time later, Mycroft hires Sherlock and John to retrieve compromising photos of a minor royal, which are held on the camera phone of Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), a ruthless and brilliant dominatrix who also trades in classified information extracted from her rich and power
5
5
No.
overall
5
No. in
series
2
Title
"The Hounds of Baskerville"
Directed by
Paul McGuigan
Written by
Mark Gatiss
Original release date
8 January 2012 (2012-01-08) (UK)
13 May 2012 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
10 (UK)
Sherlock and John are contacted by Henry Knight (Russell Tovey), a man traumatised by the death of his father by a monstrous hound on Dartmoor years before. Investigating Dewer's Hollow, a local spot where the beast was allegedly seen, as well as the nearby Ministry of Defence testing site Baskerville, Sherlock and John uncover a conspiracy wherein
Sherlock and John are contacted by Henry Knight (Russell Tovey), a man traumatised by the death of his father by a monstrous hound on Dartmoor years before. Investigating Dewer's Hollow, a local spot where the beast was allegedly seen, as well as the nearby Ministry of Defence testing site Baskerville, Sherlock and John uncover a conspiracy wherein
No.
overall
Sherlock and John are contacted by Henry Knight (Russell Tovey), a man traumatised by the death of his father by a monstrous hound on Dartmoor years before. Investigating Dewer's Hollow, a local spot where the beast was allegedly seen, as well as the nearby Ministry of Defence testing site Baskerville, Sherlock and John uncover a conspiracy wherein
6
6
No.
overall
6
No. in
series
3
Title
"The Reichenbach Fall"
Directed by
Toby Haynes
Written by
Stephen Thompson
Original release date
15 January 2012 (2012-01-15) (UK)
20 May 2012 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
9 (UK)
Moriarty launches a simultaneous heist on the Tower of London, Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison, crimes for which he allows himself to be captured and put on trial. He secures not-guilty by intimidating the jury and visits Sherlock, explaining he still intends to "burn" him, taunting him with a "final problem" for him to solve. He also tries
Moriarty launches a simultaneous heist on the Tower of London, Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison, crimes for which he allows himself to be captured and put on trial. He secures not-guilty by intimidating the jury and visits Sherlock, explaining he still intends to "burn" him, taunting him with a "final problem" for him to solve. He also tries
No.
overall
Moriarty launches a simultaneous heist on the Tower of London, Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison, crimes for which he allows himself to be captured and put on trial. He secures not-guilty by intimidating the jury and visits Sherlock, explaining he still intends to "burn" him, taunting him with a "final problem" for him to solve. He also tries
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | |
| 4 | 1 | "A Scandal in Belgravia" | Paul McGuigan | Steven Moffat | 1 January 2012 (2012-01-01) (UK) 6 May 2012 (US) | 10 (UK) 3 (US) | |
| Moriarty chooses to let Sherlock and John go after receiving a phone call. Some time later, Mycroft hires Sherlock and John to retrieve compromising photos of a minor royal, which are held on the camera phone of Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), a ruthless and brilliant dominatrix who also trades in classified information extracted from her rich and power | |||||||
| 5 | 2 | "The Hounds of Baskerville" | Paul McGuigan | Mark Gatiss | 8 January 2012 (2012-01-08) (UK) 13 May 2012 (US) | 10 (UK) | |
| Sherlock and John are contacted by Henry Knight (Russell Tovey), a man traumatised by the death of his father by a monstrous hound on Dartmoor years before. Investigating Dewer's Hollow, a local spot where the beast was allegedly seen, as well as the nearby Ministry of Defence testing site Baskerville, Sherlock and John uncover a conspiracy wherein | |||||||
| 6 | 3 | "The Reichenbach Fall" | Toby Haynes | Stephen Thompson | 15 January 2012 (2012-01-15) (UK) 20 May 2012 (US) | 9 (UK) | |
| Moriarty launches a simultaneous heist on the Tower of London, Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison, crimes for which he allows himself to be captured and put on trial. He secures not-guilty by intimidating the jury and visits Sherlock, explaining he still intends to "burn" him, taunting him with a "final problem" for him to solve. He also tries | |||||||
· Episodes › Series 3 (2014)
–
–
No.
overall
–
No. in
series
–
Title
"Many Happy Returns"
Directed by
Jeremy Lovering
Written by
Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat
Original release date
24 December 2013 (2013-12-24)
Viewers
(millions)
N/A
Anderson believes that Sherlock is still alive after the Reichenbach fall. He confides in Lestrade and tells him his theory for his existence. Anderson believes a string of events ranging from Tibet to India to Germany involve Sherlock's assistance, and this is due to Sherlock not being able to stop investigating. Lestrade tells Anderson that Sherl
Anderson believes that Sherlock is still alive after the Reichenbach fall. He confides in Lestrade and tells him his theory for his existence. Anderson believes a string of events ranging from Tibet to India to Germany involve Sherlock's assistance, and this is due to Sherlock not being able to stop investigating. Lestrade tells Anderson that Sherl
No.
overall
Anderson believes that Sherlock is still alive after the Reichenbach fall. He confides in Lestrade and tells him his theory for his existence. Anderson believes a string of events ranging from Tibet to India to Germany involve Sherlock's assistance, and this is due to Sherlock not being able to stop investigating. Lestrade tells Anderson that Sherl
7
7
No.
overall
7
No. in
series
1
Title
"The Empty Hearse"
Directed by
Jeremy Lovering
Written by
Mark Gatiss
Original release date
1 January 2014 (2014-01-01) (UK)
19 January 2014 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
12 (UK)
4 (US)
Two years after his reported Reichenbach Fall demise, Sherlock, who has been cleared of all fraud charges against him, returns with Mycroft's help to a London under threat of terrorist attack. He tries to convince John—who has moved on and now has a girlfriend, Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington)—to help; however, John is angry that Sherlock did not te
Two years after his reported Reichenbach Fall demise, Sherlock, who has been cleared of all fraud charges against him, returns with Mycroft's help to a London under threat of terrorist attack. He tries to convince John—who has moved on and now has a girlfriend, Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington)—to help; however, John is angry that Sherlock did not te
No.
overall
Two years after his reported Reichenbach Fall demise, Sherlock, who has been cleared of all fraud charges against him, returns with Mycroft's help to a London under threat of terrorist attack. He tries to convince John—who has moved on and now has a girlfriend, Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington)—to help; however, John is angry that Sherlock did not te
8
8
No.
overall
8
No. in
series
2
Title
"The Sign of Three"
Directed by
Colm McCarthy
Written by
Stephen Thompson, Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss
Original release date
5 January 2014 (2014-01-05) (UK)
26 January 2014 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
11 (UK)
2 (US)
It is John and Mary's wedding day and Sherlock is daunted by the task of delivering a Best Man's speech. As part of the speech, he recounts cases they have worked on including a soldier being stalked and somehow stabbed in a locked shower, a ghost dating women he dubs "The Mayfly Man", the last being part of John's disastrous stag night, among othe
It is John and Mary's wedding day and Sherlock is daunted by the task of delivering a Best Man's speech. As part of the speech, he recounts cases they have worked on including a soldier being stalked and somehow stabbed in a locked shower, a ghost dating women he dubs "The Mayfly Man", the last being part of John's disastrous stag night, among othe
No.
overall
It is John and Mary's wedding day and Sherlock is daunted by the task of delivering a Best Man's speech. As part of the speech, he recounts cases they have worked on including a soldier being stalked and somehow stabbed in a locked shower, a ghost dating women he dubs "The Mayfly Man", the last being part of John's disastrous stag night, among othe
9
9
No.
overall
9
No. in
series
3
Title
"His Last Vow"
Directed by
Nick Hurran
Written by
Steven Moffat
Original release date
12 January 2014 (2014-01-12) (UK)
2 February 2014 (US)
Viewers
(millions)
11 (UK)
3 (US)
Stolen letters lead Sherlock into conflict with Charles Augustus Magnussen, "the Napoleon of blackmail" who knows the personal weakness of every person of importance in the Western world. During the investigation Sherlock is shot and nearly killed by Mary, who is being blackmailed by Magnussen. After waking up from near-death, Sherlock escapes the
Stolen letters lead Sherlock into conflict with Charles Augustus Magnussen, "the Napoleon of blackmail" who knows the personal weakness of every person of importance in the Western world. During the investigation Sherlock is shot and nearly killed by Mary, who is being blackmailed by Magnussen. After waking up from near-death, Sherlock escapes the
No.
overall
Stolen letters lead Sherlock into conflict with Charles Augustus Magnussen, "the Napoleon of blackmail" who knows the personal weakness of every person of importance in the Western world. During the investigation Sherlock is shot and nearly killed by Mary, who is being blackmailed by Magnussen. After waking up from near-death, Sherlock escapes the
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | |
| – | – | "Many Happy Returns" | Jeremy Lovering | Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat | 24 December 2013 (2013-12-24) | N/A | |
| Anderson believes that Sherlock is still alive after the Reichenbach fall. He confides in Lestrade and tells him his theory for his existence. Anderson believes a string of events ranging from Tibet to India to Germany involve Sherlock's assistance, and this is due to Sherlock not being able to stop investigating. Lestrade tells Anderson that Sherl | |||||||
| 7 | 1 | "The Empty Hearse" | Jeremy Lovering | Mark Gatiss | 1 January 2014 (2014-01-01) (UK) 19 January 2014 (US) | 12 (UK) 4 (US) | |
| Two years after his reported Reichenbach Fall demise, Sherlock, who has been cleared of all fraud charges against him, returns with Mycroft's help to a London under threat of terrorist attack. He tries to convince John—who has moved on and now has a girlfriend, Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington)—to help; however, John is angry that Sherlock did not te | |||||||
| 8 | 2 | "The Sign of Three" | Colm McCarthy | Stephen Thompson, Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss | 5 January 2014 (2014-01-05) (UK) 26 January 2014 (US) | 11 (UK) 2 (US) | |
| It is John and Mary's wedding day and Sherlock is daunted by the task of delivering a Best Man's speech. As part of the speech, he recounts cases they have worked on including a soldier being stalked and somehow stabbed in a locked shower, a ghost dating women he dubs "The Mayfly Man", the last being part of John's disastrous stag night, among othe | |||||||
| 9 | 3 | "His Last Vow" | Nick Hurran | Steven Moffat | 12 January 2014 (2014-01-12) (UK) 2 February 2014 (US) | 11 (UK) 3 (US) | |
| Stolen letters lead Sherlock into conflict with Charles Augustus Magnussen, "the Napoleon of blackmail" who knows the personal weakness of every person of importance in the Western world. During the investigation Sherlock is shot and nearly killed by Mary, who is being blackmailed by Magnussen. After waking up from near-death, Sherlock escapes the | |||||||
· Episodes › Special (2016)
10
10
No.
overall
10
Title
"The Abominable Bride"
Directed by
Douglas Mackinnon
Written by
Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss
Original release date
1 January 2016 (2016-01-01)
Viewers
(millions)
11 (UK)
3 (US)
Sherlock, under the influence of drugs, enters his mind palace to solve a case from Victorian times about a bride shooting herself in the head and rising from the grave to kill her husband. If he can solve the murder it might lead him to how Moriarty has risen from the grave after similarly shooting himself in the head. He solves the case, and conc
Sherlock, under the influence of drugs, enters his mind palace to solve a case from Victorian times about a bride shooting herself in the head and rising from the grave to kill her husband. If he can solve the murder it might lead him to how Moriarty has risen from the grave after similarly shooting himself in the head. He solves the case, and conc
No.
overall
Sherlock, under the influence of drugs, enters his mind palace to solve a case from Victorian times about a bride shooting herself in the head and rising from the grave to kill her husband. If he can solve the murder it might lead him to how Moriarty has risen from the grave after similarly shooting himself in the head. He solves the case, and conc
| No. overall | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | |
| 10 | "The Abominable Bride" | Douglas Mackinnon | Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss | 1 January 2016 (2016-01-01) | 11 (UK) 3 (US) | |
| Sherlock, under the influence of drugs, enters his mind palace to solve a case from Victorian times about a bride shooting herself in the head and rising from the grave to kill her husband. If he can solve the murder it might lead him to how Moriarty has risen from the grave after similarly shooting himself in the head. He solves the case, and conc | ||||||