Summary
- There are many differences between Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Arthur Conan Doyle's character.
- For example, Cumberbatch's Sherlock has a relationship with Irene Adler, implying romantic chemistry, unlike the original character.
- Cumberbatch's Sherlock starts as a hurtful and rude character but develops to become emotionally vulnerable, showing a big change from the original.
Sherlock brought the famous detective into the modern world, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s version changed the original character in some big ways. Cumberbatch first donned the famous deerstalker hat and became Sherlock Holmes in 2010 when Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss created the BBC show, Sherlock. Sherlock spanned four seasons, containing few but lengthy episodes, and retold some of Sherlock Holmes’s most famous stories. Sherlock also featured classic characters such as John Watson, Mycroft Holmes, Irene Adler, and Jim Moriarty, although many new ones were added.
Sherlock’s decision to bring Holmes into the modern world meant characters and stories were changed. “The Hounds of Baskerville” went from a story about a real hound to one about a chemical that altered people’s perception of what they were seeing and hearing. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes has become many people’s favorite adaptation of the detective and is mainly compared to Robert Downey Jr’s Sherlock, due to their similar release dates. However, when compared to the original Sherlock Holmes, written by Arthur Conan Doyle, Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is shown to have many differences. The list of differences between Cumberbatch’s and the original character could become even bigger if Sherlock season 5 happens.
10 Cumberbatch's Sherlock Drug Addiction Changes Canon
The original Sherlock Holmes was known to take part in drugs, mainly opium, and did so when he was bored and on a break from cases. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock also partakes in illegal drugs, but Sherlock made this a drug addiction, which changes canon. It is never implied in the original work that Sherlock was addicted to opium, instead, it was used as a break from his true addiction, his work. However, Cumberbatch’s Sherlock often references his former addiction and recovery, and season 3, episode 3, “His Last Vow” starts with Sherlock being found in an opium den and back on the drug. Sherlock is undercover but still has record amounts of the drug in his system.
9 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Has A Form Of Relationship With Irene Adler
Irene Adler is one of the most famous characters to come from the Sherlock Home stories, despite only appearing in A Scandal in Bohemia. Adler is ired and respected by Sherlock as she is one of the only people to outsmart him and his traps. There is never any relationship with Adler, and Sherlock has no interest in women. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is similar, and there is no official relationship with Irene Adler, however, it is implied there is some romantic chemistry between Adler and Sherlock. Sherlock cannot bear to let her die and risks his own life for her. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock definitely has some feelings towards Adler which the original Sherlock does not.
8 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Cares More Deeply For John Watson
John Watson is Sherlock’s close friend and colleague, and in the books, Sherlock does emphasize their closeness by referring to him as his “intimate friend”. Despite this closeness, Sherlock made Sherlock and John’s relationship much deeper. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock originally looks down on John but grows to care for him and depend on him, and John ends up being the closest person to Sherlock. Sherlock is even John’s best man in series 3 and takes the role very seriously. Sherlock and John’s friendship is a massively important part of Sherlock and becomes something that influences Cumberbatch’s Sherlock’s behavior, unlike in the books.
7 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Starts As Quite A Hurtful Character
Sherlock Holmes is renowned for being detached and lacking some of the more personal human emotions, however, Sherlock twists this into Cumberbatch’s Sherlock being quite a hurtful character. Original Sherlock may be less than polite occasionally, but he is always a gentleman. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, however, is outright rude, and mean, and often hurts people who love him. One example is his consistent degrading of Molly Hooper, who has a very obvious crush on him. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has an arrogance that has defined his character, but it is quite a big change from the original Sherlock Holmes.
6 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Becomes Emotionally Vulnerable
In contrast to this, Cumberbatch’s Sherlock develops over the four seasons to become quite emotionally vulnerable. The original Sherlock is a much kinder person than Cumberbatch’s, but he does not have the same emotional journey. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock often lets his emotions take the forefront over his logic sometimes too, and this is used against him, such as when he pulls John out of the bonfire in series 3, episode 1, “The Empty Hearse”. Cumberbatch’s care for his small group of friends becomes a big part of his identity and the caring persona underneath the arrogance is another big change from the original character.
5 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Does Not Actually Wear The Deerstalker Hat
An iconic costume feature of Sherlock Holmes’ character is his deerstalker hat. This and his pipe have become instantly recognizable props. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock provides a nice nod to this by wearing the deerstalker hat to hide from the press, and then the hat becomes an ongoing joke throughout the series. However, Cumberbatch’s Sherlock does not actually wear the hat intentionally, or to solve his crimes. The modern setting is the main reason for this as deerstalkers are not the norm in 21st-century England, however, the inclusion of the hat is a nice nod to the classic while showing how Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has changed from the original.
4 The Original Sherlock Is Not As Anti-Social As Cumberbatch’s
The original Sherlock is quite polite and takes care of his frightened clients, contrary to modern adaptations. There is the essence of mandatory old English manners, and he is not always polite when working on a case, but he does not have Cumberbatch’s Sherlock’s anti-social nature. Sherlock Holmes’ occasional disregard for manners has twisted over time to make him seem like a character who is rude and dismissive. Cumberbatch’s character encapsulates this the most, as he often disregards and looks down on people whom he does not view as clever as him. However, the original Sherlock was widely respected and thought to be a generous person.
3 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Is Widely Disliked By His Peers
One thing Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is sure to do is wind up Scotland Yard. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock consistently outshines the police officers and, instead of people being impressed by his intellect, it makes them hate him. Police Officers Anderson and Donovan lead a witch hunt for Sherlock in series 2, episode 3, “The Reichenbach Fall” due to them finally being sick of his behavior. The original Sherlock Holmes is respected and trusted by his peers and people are glad for him to help. Sherlock Holmes was never doubted by the nation like Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is and this common dislike for the detective is the reason for this.
2 The Original Sherlock Holmes Does Not Have A Mind Palace
Sherlock Holmes is undeniably a genius, this is one thing each version shares, but it is often wondered by other characters how he retains information. In the original stories, John Watson refers to Sherlock’s ability to store information like an empty attic, something where he can choose what information (or furniture) to store. However, it is never said how Sherlock finds this information. In Sherlock, Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has a Mind Palace where he can mentally search through old information he has retained to find what he needs. The Mind Palace almost becomes a physical explanation for Sherlock’s genius, but it is a new addition to the famous detective's character.
1 Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Favors Cigarettes Over Pipes
Another iconic feature that Sherlock changes is Holmes’ pipe. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has referenced it, particularly in “The Abominable Bride”, an old-fashioned version of Sherlock. However, Sherlock once again modernized this aspect of Sherlock by turning his famous pipe into cigarettes. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is shown trying to quit, often using nicotine patches, but he does not decline a cigarette with his brother, Mycroft. There are even scenes that show Cumberbatch’s Sherlock with an entire pack (or more) of cigarettes in his mouth. Sherlock still references the original Sherlock, but Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is a much more modernized version.