---
title: "Elementary"
year: 2012
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/elementary-2012"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 1415
imdb_id: "tt2191671"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 7
episodes_count: 154
runtime_minutes: 43
community_rating: 7.6
vote_count: 1854
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# Elementary (2012) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/elementary-2012

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Elementary is an American procedural drama television series that reimagines Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes in a contemporary New York City setting. Created by Robert Doherty, the series stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson. The show follows the crime-solving partnership between the eccentric Sherlock and his sober companion, Dr. Watson, as they work together to solve complex cases for the NYPD. After a fall from grace in London and time spent in rehabilitation, Sherlock relocates to Manhattan at the insistence of his father, who mandates that he live with a sober companion. The series aired on CBS for seven seasons, presenting a modern adaptation of the classic detective duo. It features supporting actors including Aidan Quinn and Jon Michael Hill. The program combines procedural elements with character-driven storytelling, focusing on both the investigative work and the evolving relationship between Sherlock and Joan Watson.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A modern Sherlock Holmes solves crimes with a sober companion in New York."

### Why Watch
- Fresh take on Sherlock Holmes
- Strong lead performances
- Complex case-of-the-week plots

### Caveats & Content Note
- Slow pacing early on
- Some plotlines unresolved
- Tone & Suitability: Suitable for mature teens and adults comfortable with crime scenes and addiction themes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: procedural, character-driven, urban, intense, clever

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Sky Go, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | Channel 4, UKTV Play | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Stan, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | ABC iview | Apple TV Store |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (24 Episodes)
### Season 2 (24 Episodes)
Elementary Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The modern-day drama follows the crime-solving duo of a new Holmes and a new Watson as they crack the New York Police Department's most important cases. Set in New York, the series is a modern adaptation based loosely on figures and motives from the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. The American crime series was created by Robert Doherty and stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the leading roles. Throughout the twenty-four episodes of the second season, the detectives continue their professional partnership and investigative work within the city, tackling complex mysteries and dangerous criminal investigations together while navigating their ongoing relationship dynamics and the challenges presented by the department's demanding caseload.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- The series is a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo cracking the New York Police Department's most important cases.
- The show is based loosely on figures and motives of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- The crime series features Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the main leading roles as the central investigative partners.
- The production is a United States television series created by Robert Doherty.

### Season 3 (24 Episodes)
Elementary Season 3 continues the overarching saga across twenty-four episodes. The series is a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the New York Police Department's most important cases. The production stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the lead roles, portraying characters based loosely on figures and motifs from the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- The series follows a modern-day crime-solving duo cracking the New York Police Department's most important cases.
- The principal roles are played by Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu.
- The narrative is loosely based on figures and motifs from the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- The television production was created by Robert Doherty.

### Season 4 (24 Episodes)
Elementary Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes as a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the New York Police Department's most important cases. The series stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the leading roles, and is a United States television crime series created by Robert Doherty. The narrative follows the crime-solving partners as they navigate their work within the modern setting of New York, utilizing their unique investigative skills to handle complex cases. The season spans its full episode count while maintaining the established dynamic between the central characters and their law enforcement collaborators in the city. Across the twenty-four episodes, the overarching narrative continues the dramatic developments of the series, focusing on the investigative partnership and the procedural mystery elements that define the show's format.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- The series is a modern-day drama centering on a crime-solving duo cracking the New York Police Department's most important cases.
- The show stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the leading roles.
- The television series is created by Robert Doherty.
- The production is loosely based on figures and motifs from the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

### Season 5 (24 Episodes)
Elementary Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The modern-day drama features a crime-solving duo that cracks the New York Police Department's most important cases. The series stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the lead roles as the new Holmes and the new Watson operating in New York. Created by Robert Doherty, the television show is loosely based on characters and motifs from the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Across the twenty-four episodes of this fifth season, the drama, mystery, and crime genre elements continue to drive the narrative as the characters navigate their ongoing professional and personal challenges in New York City.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S5)**:
- The series follows a modern-day crime-solving duo consisting of a new Holmes and a new Watson.
- The characters operate in New York and crack the NYPD's most important cases.
- The show is created by Robert Doherty and stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the main roles.
- The narrative is loosely based on figures and motifs from the Sherlock Holmes stories created by Arthur Conan Doyle.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 120
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 15 (13%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 105 (88%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Robert Doherty
- **Networks / Studios**: CBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Jonny Lee Miller** as *Sherlock Holmes*
- **Lucy Liu** as *Joan Watson*
- **Jon Michael Hill** as *Marcus Bell*
- **Aidan Quinn** as *Thomas Gregson*
- **Jordan Gelber** as *Dr. Eugene Hawes*
- **Sutton Foster** as *Tara Parker*
- **John Noble** as *Morland Holmes*
- **Ophelia Lovibond** as *Kitty Winter*
- **Nelsan Ellis** as *Shinwell Johnson*
- **Ato Essandoh** as *Alfredo Llamosa*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Is this like BBC's Sherlock?
No, it's a separate modern adaptation with different casting and tone.

### Q: Does Sherlock have a drug problem?
Yes, his recovery is a major ongoing storyline.

### Q: Is Joan Watson just a sidekick?
No, she's a full partner with her own development.

### Q: How many seasons are there?
The series ran for multiple seasons on CBS.

### Q: Where is it set?
Primarily in New York City.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Elementary (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_(TV_series))
- [Elementary (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_(TV_series))
- [Elementary - watch tv show streaming online - JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/elementary)
- [Elementary Full Episodes - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ835vDW8TIz8Tp1h3H06sEXQPzA-7fDC)
- [Elementary (TV Series 2012–2019) - IMDb](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/)
- [Elementary (TV Series 2012-2019) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*