# Elementary

> American television drama (2012–2019)

**Wikidata**: [Q247643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q247643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_(TV_series))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elementary

## Summary
Elementary is an American television drama that aired from 2012 to 2019, reimagining the classic Sherlock Holmes stories in modern-day New York City. It was produced by CBS Studios and originally broadcast on CBS. The series stars Jonny Lee Miller as a recovering addict Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, offering a contemporary take on the iconic detective duo.

## Key Facts
- **Genre**: Crime television series, drama television series
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Network**: CBS
- **Production Company**: CBS Studios
- **Start Date**: September 27, 2012
- **End Date**: August 15, 2019
- **Episodes**: 154
- **Seasons**: 7
- **Runtime per Episode**: ~42 minutes
- **Original Network**: CBS
- **Creator**: Craig Sweeny (primary creative force)
- **Filming Location**: New York City
- **IMDb ID**: tt2191671
- **Website**: [http://www.cbs.com/shows/elementary](http://www.cbs.com/shows/elementary)
- **Related Entities**:
  - Connected to television series as a genre
  - Connected to CBS Studios as production company
  - Connected to CBS as original network
  - Connected to the United States as country of origin
  - Connected to crime and drama television genres

## FAQs
**What is the premise of Elementary?**
Elementary is a modern-day adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, set in New York City. It follows Sherlock Holmes, a recovering addict, and his sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson, as they solve complex crimes using Holmes' deductive reasoning and Watson's investigative skills.

**Who created Elementary?**
The series was created by Craig Sweeny, who also served as an executive producer and showrunner for the show.

**How many episodes and seasons does Elementary have?**
The show ran for 7 seasons and a total of 154 episodes from 2012 to 2019.

**What network aired Elementary and where was it produced?**
Elementary was produced by CBS Studios and originally aired on CBS from 2012 to 2019.

**What is the runtime of each episode?**
Each episode had an approximate runtime of 42 minutes.

**What genres does Elementary belong to?**
It is classified as both a crime television series and a drama television series.

**What is the setting of the show?**
The series is set in New York City, with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson solving crimes in a modern-day urban environment.

**What is the significance of the Watson character in Elementary?**
In Elementary, Watson is reimagined as a woman, played by Lucy Liu, serving as both Holmes' sober companion and later, his investigative partner, adding a fresh dynamic to the classic Holmes-Watson relationship.

## Why It Matters
Elementary matters because it redefined the classic Sherlock Holmes mythos for a modern audience by relocating the stories to New York City and reimagining Holmes as a recovering addict. This modernization brought a psychological depth to the character that resonated with contemporary themes of trauma, recovery, and partnership. The series was lauded for its strong character development, particularly in the relationship between Holmes and Watson, and for its nuanced portrayal of addiction and mental health. It also stood out for its diverse casting and gender-flipped the Watson character, giving the classic detective duo a new dimension. The show's seven-season run and critical acclaim demonstrate its success in updating a 19th-century literary icon for the 21st century.

## Notable For
- **Modern Reinterpretation**: Reimagining Sherlock Holmes as a recovering addict in New York City.
- **Gender-Flipped Watson**: Casting Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, a female version of the classic character.
- **Longevity**: Airing for 154 episodes across 7 seasons.
- **Production Quality**: Produced by CBS Studios and broadcast on CBS, one of the major networks.
- **Genre Innovation**: Blending classic detective fiction with modern themes of addiction and recovery.
- **Cultural Impact**: Influencing how classic literary characters can be adapted for modern audiences.
- **Diverse Representation**: Featuring a multicultural cast and contemporary New York setting.

## Body

### History and Development
Elementary was developed as a modern-day adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. It premiered on September 27, 2012, and concluded on August 15, 2019. The series was created by Craig Sweeny, who played a central role in shaping its narrative and tone. The show was produced by CBS Studios and aired on CBS, aligning it with the network's tradition of high-quality drama programming.

### Setting and Premise
The series is set in New York City, where Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller, is a recovering addict working with his sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), to solve complex crimes. The show explores themes of addiction, recovery, and personal growth, distinguishing it from other Holmes adaptations.

### Cast and Characters
- **Sherlock Holmes**: Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal of Holmes as a recovering addict brought a new layer of psychological complexity to the character.
- **Dr. Joan Watson**: Lucy Liu's Watson is a reimagined version of the classic character, serving as both a companion and an equal partner in solving cases.

### Production Details
- **Episodes**: 154 episodes across 7 seasons
- **Runtime**: Approximately 42 minutes per episode
- **Production Company**: CBS Studios
- **Original Network**: CBS
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Filming Location**: New York City
- **Genre**: Crime and drama television series

### Reception and Legacy
Elementary was praised for its storytelling, character development, and modern take on the Holmes mythos. It stood out for its exploration of addiction, mental health, and the evolving relationship between Holmes and Watson. The series was also noted for its diverse casting and strong female lead in Watson.

### Related Entities and Connections
- **CBS Studios**: The production company behind the series.
- **CBS**: The original network that aired the show.
- **Television Series Genre**: Classified as both a crime and drama television series.
- **United States**: The country of origin for the show.
- **Creator**: Craig Sweeny, who developed the series and served as executive producer.

### Cultural Impact
Elementary redefined the classic Holmes-Watson dynamic by introducing a female Watson and placing the characters in a modern, urban setting. The series was significant for its psychological depth and exploration of contemporary issues such as addiction and recovery. It also influenced how classic literary characters can be adapted for modern audiences, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.

### Awards and Recognition
The series received recognition through various award nominations and wins, including:
- **Award Received**: Nominated for and won multiple awards, including recognition for writing, acting, and production quality.
- **Situation**: The show was part of the broader crime and drama television genres, contributing to the evolution of modern detective storytelling.

### Technical and Creative Details
- **IMDb ID**: tt2191671
- **Wikipedia Title**: Elementary (TV series)
- **Logo**: Elementary (2012 TV series) logo.svg
- **Website**: http://www.cbs.com/shows/elementary
- **Social Media Presence**: The show maintained official accounts on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, engaging with fans and promoting episodes.

### Conclusion
Elementary stands as a significant reinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes, combining classic detective elements with modern themes and diverse casting. Its seven-season run and critical acclaim demonstrate its success in updating a literary icon for contemporary audiences, while its exploration of addiction and recovery added emotional depth to the narrative. The series remains a benchmark for how classic characters can be reimagined with psychological realism and cultural relevance.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [JONNY LEE MILLER, LUCY LIU AND AIDAN QUINN STAR IN "ELEMENTARY," A MODERN-DAY VERSION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES SET IN NEW YORK CITY, PREMIERING ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 27. CBS. 2012](http://cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=32582)
3. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/elementary)
4. [Source](http://www.mundoplus.tv/noticias/?seccion=series&id=6424)
5. [Source](http://www.mundoplus.tv/noticias/?seccion=series&id=6290)
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/releaseinfo)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Google Knowledge Graph
9. Kinopoisk
10. Online-Filmdatenbank
11. Bechdel Test Movie List
12. mymovies.it
13. The Movie Database
14. FilmVandaag.nl