Every Sherlock Villain, Ranked From Worst To Best – Armessa Movie News

Sherlock features a diverse range of villains, varying from brilliant to bizarre. The BBC adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s eponymous detective, Sherlock depicts many creepy criminals over its four seasons. Some of these villains are highly memorable, while others are less so.

Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, but impressive guest stars also bolster the modernized adaptation. Many bring Conan Doyle’s infamous rogue’s gallery to life, capturing the villains with varying degrees of success.

10 Lord Moran

The worst villain to appear in Sherlock is Lord Moran. He appears only briefly in Sherlock season 3, episode 1, “The Empty Hearse,” attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Moran is a rather ineffectual Sherlock villain, as he is very quickly identified by Sherlock and defeated. This is largely because the episode is mostly focused on Sherlock’s faked death, his subsequent return from the dead, and repairing his relationship with Watson. As a result, Lord Moran functions more as a narrative device than a true villain, designed as a means to reconcile Sherlock and Watson’s friendship.

9 Dr. Bob Frankland

Dr. Bob Frankland is revealed as a villain in Sherlock season 2, episode 2, “The Hounds of Baskerville.” While actor Clive Mantle’s performance is impressive, Frankland is a rather underwhelming antagonist, especially compared to the grandeur of the hallucinated hounds he creates. Adapting such a famous tale from Conan Doyle’s portfolio was bound to foster some disappointment, but the updated adaptation makes the Hound’s creator rather bland. On the other hand, his murder plot is very effectively produced, so perhaps he’s not the worst Sherlock villain — just the most boring.

8 Jonathan Small (The Mayfly Man)

Jonathan Small, also known as the Mayfly Man, is quite a minor villain in Sherlock. He appears in Sherlock season 3, episode 2, “The Sign of Three,” as a disguised wedding photographer played by Jalaal Hartley. The cruelty and cunning Jonathan displays is especially ingenious, offering one of the show’s best mysteries, with a truly intricate murder plot. Unfortunately, Jonathan only appears briefly, and as a result, is a slightly underdeveloped character. Jonathan lacks depth compared to his contemporaries, but he is nevertheless an effective antagonist.

7 The Golem

During Sherlock season 1, episode 3, “The Great Game,” Sherlock is pursued by an assassin with the codename the Golem. John Lebar plays the Golem in the show, turning him into a very imposing figure. His vampiric visage is incredibly unnerving, resembling Nosferatu‘s Count Orlok in some ways. He makes an absolutely terrifying villain, but unfortunately, he does not feature very extensively in the episode. Regardless, his momentary appearance is highly effective and creates a very memorable Sherlock villain.

6 Charles Augustus Magnussen

Charles Augustus Magnussen first appears in Sherlock season 3, episode 1, “The Empty Hearse,” but he returns as the primary villain of season 3, episode 3, “His Last Vow.” Magnussen is played by Lars Mikkelsen, who lends the media mogul a sophistication and suggestion of class that make him extremely unsettling. Magnussen’s preoccupation with determining “pressure points” to blackmail his victims with displays a callousness that rivals even the most murderous Sherlock villains. Despite this, Magnussen and his central story are somewhat wasted, as much of “His Last Vow” focuses on other characters and narratives, and the swift manner in which he is dispatched is quite disappointing.

5 Culverton Smith

Culverton Smith is a decidedly unnerving villain, appearing in Sherlock season 4, episode 2, “The Lying Detective.” He is played by the revered actor Toby Jones, who portrays him as an especially cruel and innovative killer. His spider-like tendrils in several high-power businesses, Smith’s ability to operate completely in the open is particularly sinister. His sudden appearance in Sherlock’s hospital room is delightfully frightful. Unfortunately, Jones’ petrifying performance is slightly overshadowed by other essential plot points.

4 Jeff Hope

Jeff Hope is the first villain to appear in Sherlock — and perhaps the most terrifying. Jeff is played by Phil Davis and appears in Sherlock season 1, episode 1, “A Study in Pink.” Davis portrays the murderous taxi driver with a palpable relish, delivering a truly unsettling performance. In fact, Jeff is so insidious that he actually comes close to killing Sherlock, quickly determining that Sherlock’s ego can be easily manipulated. Furthermore, the complete randomness of his victim selection is frightening. Interestingly, this twist in Sherlock’s first case is teased at the beginning of the episode.

3 Eurus Holmes

While certain parts of her story feel rather clunky, Eurus Holmes offers a Sherlock villain almost as pervasive as Moriarty. She features most prominently in Sherlock season 4, episode 3, “The Final Problem,” but it is her earlier appearances that mark her as a truly effective foe. Eurus appears in disguise as central characters throughout season 4, including Watson’s therapist. She manages to weave herself into Sherlock and Watson’s lives insidiously, with the reveal that she can leave her prison cell being particularly disquieting. Sian Brooke plays Eurus with a chilling elegance that rivals Moriarty’s enigmatic charm.

2 Irene Adler

Irene Adler is so deftly performed and characterized that she charms Sherlock Holmes himself. Adler is played by Lara Pulver and first appears in Sherlock season 2, episode 2, “A Scandal in Belgravia.” Adler is a highly effective villain, displaying impressive levels of planning and preparation that even fool Sherlock. Her relationship with him is a particularly enjoyable aspect of her character arc — so much so that it’s referenced in subsequent episodes. While her modus operandi is somewhat simplistic, blackmailing her victims for power and influence, Sherlock‘s Irene Adler is different from the books but still fosters an endearing quality that makes her one of the show’s most memorable characters.

1 Jim Moriarty

Jim Moriarty is undoubtedly the greatest villain depicted in Sherlock. Moriarty first appears in season 1, episode 3, “The Great Game,” but features extensively throughout the show’s run. He appears most notably in Sherlock season 2, episode 3, “The Reichenbach Fall,” during which his talents for Machiavellian manipulation and extensive foresight shine. Much of Moriarty’s enigmatic persona is thanks to Andrew Scott’s spellbinding performance. Scott brings an alluring charm to the character, occasionally enrapturing audiences more than Sherlock and Holmes themselves. He embodies a beguiling sophistication, which is particularly evident in Sherlock‘s tea scene. Jim Moriarty remains the greatest villain depicted in Sherlock.