Recasting BBC's Sherlock Series In 2026: All 8 Main Roles

Published Oct 20, 2026, 12:15 PM EDT

Ben is a Senior Writer on the New TV team at Screen Rant. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class B.A. Degree in English Literature and History.

Born and raised in Ireland, Ben has always had a love for storytelling in all forms of media and operates multiple projects under the name Benjamin Blogs. Ben is a comic book writer and podcast host, in addition to his work as an entertainment journalist. He has worked as both a writer and editor for Screen Rant, Collider, and other media outlets across various departments, including features, news, reviews, and interviews.

Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss' Sherlock raised the bar for Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective stories, but this series would look very different if it were being made today. While the Sherlock Holmes stories have been in circulation since 1887, with dozens of adaptations bringing the story to new generations of audiences, the 2010 series Sherlock felt special.

Between the incredible casting of leading men like Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson, and, of course, Andrew Scott tackling the role of the mischievous and murderous Moriarty, the series was a raving success. But beyond the casting, the writing, the modern setting, and the way that Sherlock's thoughts were displayed all combined to create a stunning series like no other.

So, if this same series was remade today, with the same building blocks still in place, it could be a great opportunity to showcase a new generation of talented performers, placing them front and center and bringing this story to life once again. But it needs to have the right actors in place to come close to the success of the 2010 series.

Joseph Quinn as Sherlock

First on the slate, Sherlock Holmes requires an actor who is capable of disappearing inside the role, exploring a frantic and energetic side, and also comfortably settling into the more introspective and quiet moments when his mind is most active. Benedict Cumberbatch did a tremendous job with this balancing act, but there is a younger actor with a similar skill set.

Joseph Quinn is a wonderful actor who began his career in theater, and has since found success on the big and small screens after taking on a variety of roles that stretched him and saw him unpack very different energies.

Ultimately, Quinn would make for an excellent Holmes, and has shown how extensive his range is as a performer, from playing a more introspective character in films like A Quiet Place: Day One, to more energetic figures like Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Jack Lowden as Watson

Jack Lowden is currently one of the favorites to play James Bond, and with his incredible success as River Cartwright in Apple TV's spy series, Slow Horses, he is well suited to play a decorated and disciplined military man. Lowden trims up well, and is proficient at playing intense and emotionally reserved characters, which all makes him an excellent contender to play Watson.

But more than that, there is also the potential for an incredible chemistry to develop between Lowden and Quinn as a detective and the army doctor who form a difficult but rewarding duo. Lowden's intensity would make a great contrast to Quinn's energy, and deliver something akin to what we already saw play out between Cumberbatch and Freeman.

Matthew Macfadyen as Mycroft

While Holmes and Watson are clearly at the heart of the Sherlock story, there are several more characters who play an important part in making this series what it is. Which is why they need a powerhouse performer to play the part of Mycroft Holmes, the older brother of Sherlock who is likewise brilliant, though he possesses very different motivations to use his intellect.

Matthew Macfadyen has appeared as a company man in two notable roles, one in Succession, and again in Deadpool and Wolverine. Considering the fact that Mycroft is so devoted to his work on behalf of the government, it feels like a perfect fit to have Macfadyen step in as Quinn's older brother.

Jack O'Connell as Moriarty

Image via Netflix

One of the pivotal roles which would set up a Sherlock remake for success or failure is that of Moriarty. Moriarty is the ultimate nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, with comparable intelligence, though he feels no shame or guilt in using other people to get gain often toying with people as a way to keep himself entertained. With that in mind, there is one actor who would make a perfect fit.

Jack O'Connell has had a stunning run playing twisted villains who bring a level of charm, wit, intellect, and darkness in films like Sinners, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and more. With his experience and the depth he brings to any role, O'Connell would make an absolutely stunning Moriarty in a modern Sherlock reboot.

Leo Woodall as Lestrade

Another important part of the equation in the Sherlock Holmes universe of stories is the cocky and self-assured detective Lestrade. Lestrade is often in competition with Holmes, recognizing his own intellectual inferiority, and being more than willing to take credit when a case is resolved, even is all he did was pick up the pieces after Watson and Holmes had put everything together.

For this part, Leo Woodall could be an outstanding pick to play a large, well-respected, and ambitious detective who has aspirations of climbing the ranks in Scotland Yard. Meanwhile, Woodall could also reasonably play a part which sees him take a backseat compared to the intellectual prowess of Quinn as Holmes, creating a delicious tension between the two that would add to the wider narrative.

Aimee Lou Wood as Molly Hooper

Image via Max

As much as Sherlock puts a large focus on the male leads, there are several women who play an important part in bringing the story to life, with the original character, Molly Hooper, becoming one of the most endearing and poignant figures in the life of Sherlock Holmes. While Holmes is doggedly focused on his cases, Molly has a close relationship which leads to her having a considerable crush on the entirely unaware Holmes.

Molly is an original character who did not appear in the novels by Arthur Conan Doyle, but nonetheless plays an important role in the Sherlock series, which is why a talented actor like Aimee Lou Wood could be an excellent choice to play Holmes' quiet admirer working in a morgue.

Molly adds humor, emotion, and an important anchor for Sherlock Holmes that evolved as the series went on, and Wood could comfortably bring this level of nuance and evolution throughout the character's arc.

Julie Walters as Mrs. Hudson

Mrs. Hudson may not always feel like a central figure in Sherlock, but her presence as the landlady at 221B Baker Street means she has an enormous amount of contact with Sherlock and Watson. Mrs. Hudson also possesses a wonderful depth for patience and kindness, and when required, she can stand up to Holmes like no one else.

For this reason, it seems like an obvious choice to bring in an actor like Julie Walters, who is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. Weasley in the Harry Potter films. In that role, she displayed all of the skills required to tackle a role like Mrs. Hudson, and it's clear that she could have an electric chemistry playing against characters like Joseph Quinn and Jack Lowden.

Carey Mulligan as Mary

Finally, John Watson eventually finds himself yearning for a life beyond the confined and often suffocating orbit of Sherlock Holmes. After years together, John finds a companion in Mary, who is an extraordinary woman, fierce, loyal, and incredibly capable. As such, Mary needs to be capable of standing up to Holmes and exhibiting the love and affection that John Watson is desperately in need of.

For this part, it's a clear choice with one of the most exceptional young British actors to appear in TV and film in the last few decades, Carey Mulligan. Mulligan has gravitas, intensity, and charm that could easily match and overpower figures like Lowden and Quinn when the occasion calls for it, and she has the capacity to deliver outstanding emotional performances.

All things considered, if Sherlock was to be recast and remade today, there is a stunning pool of talent to call on, and the show could end up finding just as much success as it did on its initial outing with incredible actors like those listed above.