Most portrayed detective
Who
Sherlock Holmes
What
total number
Where
Not Applicable ()
When
2010
Unsurprisingly consulting detective Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed the most times on TV worldwide. From his earliest small-screen appearance on NBC experimental programming in 1937 to the present day more than 30 actors have essayed the role. In the latest incarnation Sherlock (BBC 2010) Benedict Cumberbatch plays the cerebral hero and the huge ratings for his series demonstrates the enduring appeal of the character.