List of actors who have played Dr. Watson explained

The following is a list of actors who have played Dr. Watson in various media.

Radio and audio dramas

Name Title Date Type
F. H. OliverThe Sign of the Four[1] 1922Radio (WGY)
Leigh LovellThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes[2] 1930–1935Radio (NBC Blue Network)
Reginald MasonLux Radio Theatre – "Sherlock Holmes"[3] 1935Radio adaptation of the play (NBC)
Harry WestThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1936Radio (Mutual, NBC)
Ray CollinsThe Mercury Theatre on the Air – "Sherlock Holmes"1938Radio adaptation of the play (CBS)
Nigel BruceThe New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1940–1947Radio (Mutual, ABC)
Carleton HobbsThe Boscombe Valley Mystery[4] 1943BBC Home Service
Ralph TrumanMy Dear Watson1943
Finlay CurrieThe Adventure of the Speckled Band (two productions)[5] 1945, 1948
Norman ShelleySilver Blaze1945
Sherlock Holmes[6] 1952–1969Radio series (BBC)
Alfred ShirleyThe New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1947–1948Radio (Mutual)
Ian Martin1948
Wendell Holmes1948–1949
Eric Snowden1949–1950Radio (ABC)
Ralph RichardsonThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1954Radio series (BBC Light Programme)
Bryan ColemanThe Sign of Four[7] 1959BBC Light Programme
Kenneth BakerSherlock Holmes1967South African Broadcasting Corporation
Nigel StockSherlock Holmes[8] 1970–1971LP record series
Dinsdale LandonA Study in Scarlet[9] 1974BBC Radio 4
Lloyd BattistaCBS Radio Mystery Theater – "The Hound of the Baskervilles"[10] 1977Radio (CBS)
Court BensonCBS Radio Mystery Theater1977–1981
David BuckSherlock Holmes[11] 1978Radio series (BBC Radio 4)
Kerry JordanThe Stories of Sherlock Holmes1979–1985Radio series (Springbok Radio)
Timothy WestSherlock Holmes vs. Dracula[12] 1981BBC radio dramatisation of the novel
Bernard GrantCBS Radio Mystery Theater – "The Naval Treaty"1982Radio (CBS)
William GriffisCBS Radio Mystery Theater – "The Reigate Mystery"1982
Andrew HiltonThe Mystery of the Reluctant Storyteller and The Valley of Fear[13] 1986BBC Radio 4
Crawford LoganThe Hound of the Baskervilles[14] 1988
Michael WilliamsBBC Radio Sherlock Holmes (the entire canon)1989–1998
Ian HoggThe Seven-Per-Cent Solution1993BBC radio dramatisation of the novel
Nicky HensonThe Unopened Casebook of Sherlock Holmes[15] 1993Radio series (BBC Radio 5)
Lawrence AlbertThe Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (American series)1998–presentRadio series (Imagination Theatre)
The Classic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (the entire canon)2005–2016
Chris EmmettThe Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes1999BBC Radio 2
Andrew SachsThe Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (British series)2002–2010BBC Radio 4
Richard EarlSherlock Holmes[16] 2010–2022Audio dramas (Big Finish Productions)
Geoffrey ArendThe Hound of the Baskervilles[17] 2014Audio drama (L.A. Theatre Works)
Stephen CritchlowMrs Hudson's Radio Show[18] 2018BBC Radio 4
Kobna Holdbrook-SmithSherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason[19] 2020Audio drama (Audible Original)
Stephen FryThe Hound of the Baskervilles[20] 2021
Adam Godley[21] 2022
Sanjeev BhaskarThe Hound of the Baskervilles: A Concert Drama[22] 2023Radio play (BBC Radio 3)
Paul WaggottSherlock & Co[23] 2023-presentScripted podcast (Goalhanger Podcasts)

Stage plays

Name Title Date Type
Seymour HicksUnder The Clock[24] 1893Stage (Royal Court Theatre)
St. John HamundSherlock Holmes[25] 1894Stage (Royalty Theatre, Glasgow)
Bruce McRaeSherlock Holmes1899Broadway (American)
Kenneth RivingtonSherlock Holmes1905Stage (British)
The Speckled Band1921–1922
H. Lawrence LeytonSherlock Holmes[26] 1905
The Speckled Band[27] 1910
Claude KingThe Speckled Band[28] 1910
R.V. TaylourThe Crown Diamond[29] 1921
H. G. StokerThe Return of Sherlock Holmes1923
Jack RaineSherlock Holmes1953Stage (American)
Peter SallisBaker Street1965Musical (American)
Tim Pigott-SmithSherlock Holmes1974Stage revival (British)
Dennis CooneySherlock Holmes1974Stage revival (American)
Timothy LandfieldThe Crucifer of Blood1978Broadway (American)
Denis LillThe Crucifer of Blood1979Stage (London)
Richard WoodsSherlock Holmes[30] 1981Stage revival (Williamstown Theater Festival), filmed for TV
Jeremy BrettThe Crucifer of Blood1981Stage (Los Angeles)
Edward WoodwardMurder Dear Watson[31] 1983Stage (British)
Alan StanfordThe Mask of Moriarty[32] 1985Stage (Dublin)
Donal DonnellySherlock's Last Case[33] 1987Stage (Nederlander Theatre)
John NicholsonThe Hound of the Baskervilles[34] 2007Stage (West Yorkshire Playhouse)
Lucas Hall[35] 2015Arena Stage in Southwest, Washington, D.C.
[36] 2015Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California
Patrick Robinson[37] 2017–2018Liverpool Playhouse
Joseph DerringtonSherlock Holmes – The Sign of Four[38] 2018–2019UK theatre tour[39]
Roland KalweitSherlock Holmes und der Hund der Baskervilles[40] 2023–2025European theatre tour[41]

Television and DTV films

Name Title Date Type
William PodmoreThe Three Garridebs[42] 1937Television play for NBC (American)
Campbell SingerThe Man with the Twisted Lip[43] 1951Potential series pilot (British)
Raymond FrancisWe Present Alan Wheatley as Mr. Sherlock Holmes in...1951Television series (British)[44]
Philip KingThe Mazarin Stone[45] 1951Television film for BBC (British)
Bernard FoxThe Hound of the Baskervilles1972Television film (American)
Edward FoxDoctor Watson and the Darkwater Hall Mystery1974Television film (British)
Patrick MacneeSherlock Holmes in New York1976Television film (American)
Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady1991Television film
Incident at Victoria Falls1992
Thorley WaltersSilver Blaze1977Television film (Canadian)
Richard WoodsStanding Room OnlySherlock Holmes[46] 1981Television play for HBO (American)
Terence RigbyThe Hound of the Baskervilles1982Television serial (British)
Earle CrossSherlock Holmes and the Valley of Fear1983Animated television films; voice only (Australian)
Sherlock Holmes and the Sign of Four1983
Sherlock Holmes and the Baskerville Curse1983
Sherlock Holmes and a Study in Scarlet1983
David HealyThe Sign of Four1983Television film (British-American)
Donald ChurchillThe Hound of the Baskervilles1983
John MillsThe Masks of Death1984Television film (British)
John HillermanHands of a Murderer1990
Richard JohnsonThe Crucifer of Blood1991TV film adaptation of the play (American)
John Scott-PagetThe Hound of London1993Television film (Canadian-Luxembourgian)
Kenneth WelshThe Hound of the Baskervilles2000Television films (Canadian)
The Sign of Four2001
The Royal Scandal2001
The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire2002
Ian HartThe Hound of the Baskervilles2002Television film (British)
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking2004
Roger Morlidge2002Television film (American)
Bill PatersonSherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars2007BBC television film (British)
Gareth David-LloydSherlock Holmes2010DTV film (American)
John Rhys-DaviesTom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes2010Animated DTV film; voice only (American)

Television series

Name Title Date Type
Victor MooreTexaco Star Theatre – "Sherlock Holmes in the Mystery of the Sen Sen Murder"[47] 1949TV episode (American)
Melville CooperYour Show Time – "The Speckled Band"1949
Raymond FrancisSherlock Holmes1951TV series (British)
Jack RaineSuspense – "The Adventure of the Black Baronet"1953TV episode (American)
H. Marion-CrawfordSherlock Holmes1954–1955TV series (American-French)
Nigel StockSherlock Holmes1965–1968TV series (British)
Paul Edwin RothSherlock Holmes1967–1968TV series (Germany)
Gianni BonaguraSherlock Holmes1968TV series (Italy)
Donald PickeringSherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson1979TV series (American-Polish)
Vitaly SolominThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson1979–1986TV film series (USSR)
Hubert ReesThe Baker Street Boys1983TV series (British)
David BurkeSherlock Holmes1984–1985
Kōsei TomitaSherlock Hound1984–1985TV animated series (Italian-Japanese) (Japanese version)
Lewis Arquette1984–1985TV animated series (Italian-Japanese) (English dub)
Riccardo Garrone1984–1985TV animated series (Italian-Japanese) (Italian dub)
Edward HardwickeSherlock Holmes1986–1994TV series (British)
Patrick MoncktonAlfred Hitchcock Presents – "My Dear Watson"1989TV episode (American)
Phil HartmanSaturday Night Live – "Sherlock Holmes' Birthday Party"1991TV sketch (American)
John PayneSherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century1999–2001Animated TV series (British-American)
Jim Piddock – "Trials of the Demon!"[48] 2009Animated TV series (American)
Martin FreemanSherlock2010–2017TV series (British)
Lucy LiuElementary2012–2019TV series (American)
Kyle MooneyEpic Rap Battles of History – "Batman vs. Sherlock Holmes"2012Online series episode (American)
Andrei PaninSherlock Holmes2013TV series (Russian)
Wataru TakagiSherlock Holmes2014–2015TV series (Japanese)
Tao TsuchiyaIQ246: The Cases of a Royal Genius2016
Shihori KanjiyaMiss Sherlock2018
Takanori Iwata2019
Yuichi Nakamura 2019–2020TV anime series (Japanese) (Japanese version)
Josh Grelle 2019–2020TV anime series (Japanese) (English dub)
Yūki OnoMoriarty the Patriot2020–2021TV anime series (Japanese)
Ryan Colt Levy2021TV anime series (English dub)
Andrey FeskovSherlock in Russia 2020TV series (Russian)
Royce PierresonThe Irregulars 2021TV series (British-American)
Morris ChestnutWatson2025TV series (American)

Theatrical films

Name Title Date Type
Mr. MoyseSilver Blaze1912 Éclair short film series (British-French)
The Beryl Coronet1912
The Musgrave Ritual1912
The Reigate Squares1912
The Stolen Papers1912
The Mystery of Boscombe Valley1912
The Copper Beeches1912
Jack FrancisA Study in Scarlet[49] 1914 Silent film (American)
Edward FieldingSherlock Holmes1916First silent film adaptation of the stage play (American)
Arthur M. CullinThe Valley of Fear1916Silent film (British)
The Sign of the Four1923Stoll film series (British)
Hubert Willis45 short silent films1921–1923
The Hound of the Baskervilles1921
Roland YoungSherlock Holmes1922Silent film adaptation of the stage play (American)
George SeroffThe Hound of the Baskervilles1929Silent film (German)
H. Reeves-SmithThe Return of Sherlock Holmes1929American film
Ian FlemingThe Sleeping Cardinal19311931–1937 film series (British)
The Missing Rembrandt1932
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes1935
Silver Blaze1937
Athole StewartThe Speckled Band1931British film
Ian HunterThe Sign of Four19321931–1937 film series (British)
Reginald OwenSherlock Holmes1932First sound adaptation of the stage play (American)
Frederick LloydThe Hound of the Baskervilles1932British film
Warburton GambleA Study in Scarlet1933American film
Fritz OdemarThe Hound of the Baskervilles1937German film
Nigel BruceThe Hound of the Baskervilles19391939–1946 film series (USA)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1939
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror1942
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon1943
Sherlock Holmes in Washington1943
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death1943
Crazy House (short cameo)1943
The Spider Woman1944
The Scarlet Claw1944
The Pearl of Death1944
The House of Fear1945
The Woman in Green1945
Pursuit to Algiers1945
Terror by Night1946
Dressed to Kill1946
André MorellThe Hound of the Baskervilles1959British film
Thorley WaltersSherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace1962West German-French-Italian film
The Best House in London1969British film
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother1975American film
Donald HoustonA Study in Terror1965British film
Colin BlakelyThe Private Life of Sherlock Holmes1970American film
Robert DuvallThe Seven-Per-Cent Solution1976
Dudley MooreThe Hound of the Baskervilles1978British film
James MasonMurder by Decree1979British-Canadian film
Alan CoxYoung Sherlock Holmes1985American film
Michael HordernYoung Sherlock Holmes1985American film (older version, voice only)
Laurie MainThe Great Mouse Detective1986American animated film; voice only
Ben KingsleyWithout a Clue1988American film
Gilbert DacournanSherlock Holmes en Caracas[50] 1992Venezuelan film
Jude LawSherlock Holmes2009British-American films
2011
Colin StarkeyMr. Holmes2015British-American film
John C. ReillyHolmes & Watson2018American film
Himesh PatelEnola Holmes 22022British-American film

Video games

Name Title Date Type
Warren Green1991Consulting Detective series; live-action cutscenes
1992
[51] 1993
Deem Bristow1992Voice role
Laurie Main[52] 1994Live-action video clips in the 3DO (1994) release
Roger L. Jackson[53] 1996Voice role; digitized sprites based on a different actor
John Bell2002Sherlock Holmes series; voice role
David Riley2004
2007
Sherlock Holmes Versus Arsène Lupin2007
Sherlock Holmes Versus Jack the Ripper2009
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles2011
The Testament of Sherlock Holmes2012
Nick Brimble2014
Andrew Wincott[54] 2016
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened2023

Actors who have played both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson

A small number of actors have played both Holmes and Watson, including Reginald Owen who played Watson in Sherlock Holmes (1932) and Holmes in A Study in Scarlet (1933);[55] [56] Jeremy Brett, who played Watson on stage in the United States prior to adopting the mantle of Holmes on British television;[57] Howard Marion-Crawford, who played Holmes on British radio and Watson on American television; Carleton Hobbs, who played both roles in British radio adaptations;[58] and Patrick Macnee, who played both roles in US television movies.[59]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Dickerson, Ian . Ian Dickerson . Sherlock Holmes and His Adventures on American Radio . BearManor Media . 2019 . 6 . 978-1629335087.
  2. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 132 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  3. Book: Dickerson, Ian. Ian Dickerson. Sherlock Holmes and His Adventures on American Radio. BearManor Media. 2019. 978-1629335070. 65.
  4. Book: Pointer, Michael. The Public Life of Sherlock Holmes. Drake. 1975. 176. 0-87749-725-7.
  5. Book: De Waal, Ronald Burt . The World Bibliography of Sherlock Holmes . registration . 1974 . Bramhall House . 382 . 0-517-217597.
  6. Book: Redmond, Christopher. Sherlock Holmes Handbook: Second Edition. Dundurn. 2009. 229. 9781459718982.
  7. Web site: The Sign of Four: 1: The Science of Deduction . BBC Genome: Radio Times . BBC . 2020 . 9 July 2020.
  8. Book: De Waal, Ronald Burt . The World Bibliography of Sherlock Holmes . registration . 1974 . Bramhall House . 411–412 . 0-517-217597.
  9. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 139 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  10. Book: Payton. Gordon. Grams . Martin Jr.. The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook to Nine Years of Broadcasting, 1974–1982. McFarland & Company. 2015. 195, 205, 216, 370, 412. 9780786492282.
  11. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 140 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  12. Web site: Sherlock Holmes v Dracula. BBC Radio 4 Extra. 2020. 1 April 2020.
  13. Book: The Sherlock Holmes Miscellany. Johnson. Roger. Upton. Jean. 86. The History Press. 2012. 9780752483474.
  14. Web site: The Hound of the Baskervilles: 1: The Baskerville Curse . BBC Genome: Radio Times . BBC . 30 July 2020.
  15. Web site: The Unopened Casebook of Sherlock Holmes: The Battersea Worm. BBC Genome: Radio Times . BBC . 17 November 2020 .
  16. https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/released/sherlock-holmes Big Finish – Sherlock Holmes
  17. Web site: The Hound of the Baskervilles. LATW. 2017. L. A. Theatre Works. 4 April 2020.
  18. Web site: Mrs Hudson's Radio Show: Cast & Crew . British Comedy Guide . 1 December 2020.
  19. Web site: Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason. Audible. 2020. 24 March 2020.
  20. Web site: The Hound of the Baskervilles. Audible. 2021. 31 May 2022.
  21. Web site: Moriarty. Audible. 2022. 20 October 2022.
  22. Web site: The Hound of the Baskervilles. January 2, 2024. BBC Radio.
  23. Web site: Sherlock & Co: the mystery podcast Gen Z is hooked on. May 15, 2024. The Sunday Times.
  24. Book: Kabatchnik, Amnon. Sherlock Holmes on the Stage. Scarecrow Press. 2008. 33. 9781461707226.
  25. Book: Kabatchnik, Amnon. Sherlock Holmes on the Stage. Scarecrow Press. 2008. 34–35. 9781461707226.
  26. Web site: USH Volume 3, Section X K -- Actors, Performances, and Recordings: Plays . University of Minnesota Libraries . 31 December 2020.
  27. Book: Pointer, Michael . 1976 . 30–31 . The Sherlock Holmes File . Clarkson N. Potter, Inc. . 0-517-52560-7.
  28. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 130 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  29. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 131 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  30. Web site: O'Connor. John. HBO offers Sherlock Holmes . November 19, 1981 . January 2, 2018 . .
  31. Web site: USH Volume 4, Section X K -- Actors, Performances, and Recordings: Plays (continued) . University of Minnesota Libraries . 31 December 2020.
  32. Book: Eyles, Allen . Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . 1986 . . 141 . 0-06-015620-1 . registration .
  33. Web site: Rich. Frank. Frank Rich. Stage: Langella In 'Sherlock's Last'. The New York Times. August 21, 1987. January 2, 2018.
  34. Web site: Hickling. Alfred. The Hound of the Baskervilles. The Guardian. January 27, 2007. January 2, 2018.
  35. Web site: Wren. Celia. 'Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery' charges into Arena Stage. The Washington Post. January 18, 2015. December 26, 2017.
  36. Web site: Verini. Bob. Regional Theater Review: 'Baskerville,' Ken Ludwig's Sherlock Tale. Variety. August 3, 2015. December 26, 2017.
  37. Web site: Baskerville - A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Liverpool Playhouse. January 2, 2018.
  38. Web site: Smith. Lawrence. Sherlock Holmes – The Sign of Four: Deception and danger in a new stage adaptation. West Sussex County Times. 6 December 2018. 6 December 2018.
  39. Web site: Sherlock Holmes: The Sign Of Four - Touring the UK from September 2018. Blackeyed Theatre Company. 6 December 2018.
  40. Web site: 3 Schauspieler in 18 Rollen in Sherlock Holmes. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. 31 March 2023. 31 March 2023.
  41. Web site: Sherlock Holmes und der Hund der Baskervilles. Motown Theater. 22 May 2022.
  42. Book: Haining, Peter. Peter Haining (author) . The Television Sherlock Holmes . 1994 . Virgin Books . 44–47 . 0-86369-793-3 .
  43. Book: Eyles, Alan. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . registration. 1986 . . 136 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  44. Book: Newcomb . Horace . Encyclopedia of Television . 2014 . Routledge . 9780203937341 . 2080 . 2nd.
  45. Book: Haining, Peter. Peter Haining (author) . The Television Sherlock Holmes . 1994 . Virgin Books . 51 . 0-86369-793-3 .
  46. Web site: O'Connor. John. TV: H.B.O. OFFERS 'SHERLOCK HOLMES'. The New York Times. November 19, 1981. December 29, 2018.
  47. Book: Haining, Peter. Peter Haining (author) . The Television Sherlock Holmes . 1994 . Virgin Books . 49 . 0-86369-793-3.
  48. Web site: Dr. Watson Voice - Batman: The Brave and the Bold (TV Show) - Behind the Voice Actors . October 23, 2023 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  49. Book: Barnes, Alan . Alan Barnes (writer). Sherlock Holmes on Screen . 2002 . Reynolds & Hearn Ltd . 206 . 1-903111-04-8 .
  50. Book: Pitts, Michael R.. Famous Movie Detectives III. 2004. Scarecrow Press. 223. 0810836904.
  51. Web site: Warren Green Video Game Credits. 2020. MobyGames. 26 March 2020.
  52. Web site: Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Serrated Scalpel - Panasonic 3DO - Manual. Games Database. 26 March 2020.
  53. Web site: The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes: Case of the Rose Tattoo (DOS). 2020. MobyGames. 26 March 2020.
  54. Web site: Doctor Watson. Behind the Voice Actors. 2020. 10 July 2020.
  55. Book: Eyles, Allen. Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration. Harper & Row. 1986. 0-06-015620-1. 84–85.
  56. Book: Bunson, Matthew. Encyclopedia Sherlockiana: an A-to-Z guide to the world of the great detective. Matthew Bunson. Macmillan. 1994. 978-0-671-79826-0. 255.
  57. Book: Barnes, Alan . Alan Barnes (writer). Sherlock Holmes on Screen . 2002 . Reynolds & Hearn . 39 . 1-903111-04-8.
  58. Book: Eyles, Allen . Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration . 1986 . . 86 . 0-06-015620-1 .
  59. Book: Barnes, Alan. Alan Barnes (writer). Sherlock Holmes on Screen. 2011. Titan Books. 76. 9780857687760.