# Who is the greatest current fictional detective on television? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745 "2013-12-19T18:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/21 "2013-12-23T19:48:28Z")
I love both Sherlock and Elementary as long they are not in the Moriarty story arc. I prefer the tattooed addict Johnny Lee to the sexless (as far as I can tell) uptight Benedict. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/22 "2013-12-24T12:34:44Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I don’t want to get yelled at for not being completely in line with your OP, so please clarify if you mean shows currently in production or currently airing on television. > > If by “currently in production” do you mean that they’re making new episodes right now as we speak (meaning not on any kind of break from filming)? If you have a link handy for us to know what’s in production or not in production at the moment, it will really help. > > If by “currently on television” do you mean that their season is happening right now or is it ok if they’re on a break between seasons (for example, I might want to nominate **Hugh Dancy** as **Will Graham** on NBC’s “Hannibal” but the new season doesn’t start for a few weeks and I’m not sure if they’re filming new ones right now or if they’ve already wrapped on Season 2. You Jim Rockford fans will do anything for the dude. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/23 "2013-12-24T12:53:50Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I love both Sherlock and Elementary as long they are not in the Moriarty story arc. > > I prefer the tattooed addict Johnny Lee to the sexless (as far as I can tell) uptight Benedict. The OP could have been clearer, but I think the question isn’t “which show is better”, its “which detective is better”. That is, if you had a mystery IRL that you absolutely had to solve, who would you hire to solve it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/24 "2013-12-24T18:32:09Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You weren’t asking, but I prefer Holmes from _Elementary_, because he’s less of an asshole and because Joan Watson is v. pretty. > > Leroy Jethro Gibbs would own both their asses, of course. Wow. Holmes from Elementary is such a giant sucking asshole I can’t watch it, which makes me cringe to think about Sherlock. And of course, the original Sherlock Holmes wasnt such a great detective. He only looked great, having a doddering fool to say how great he was, and a complete idiot as a Police nemesis. Faced off with the worst detective since Clouseau, _anyone_ would look good. Gibbs is great, and the man I’d best like to see if I was in deep shit, but best _detective_? Only as part of a team, but yes, that team is likely the best on TV today. ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/25 "2013-12-24T18:44:23Z")
It’s a period show but if I were innocent and needed to prove it I would put my life in the hands of DCS Foyle. He has a combination of Holmes’ observation and a deep understanding of human nature that Holmes lacks. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/26 "2013-12-24T18:54:18Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > The OP could have been clearer, but I think the question isn’t “which show is better”, its “which detective is better”. That is, if you had a mystery IRL that you absolutely had to solve, who would you hire to solve it. I do believe I stated “which detective”, not “which show”. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/27 "2013-12-24T18:58:01Z")
Sherlock from _Elementary_. He’s around more often and thus has more time to dedicate to my crime that needs solved. The Sherlock from _Sherlock_ is only around 3 nights a year. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/28 "2013-12-24T20:11:50Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Sherlock from _Elementary_. He’s around more often and thus has more time to dedicate to my crime that needs solved. The Sherlock from _Sherlock_ is only around 3 nights a year. WTF? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that type of reasoning used in a thread before. I like it! ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/29 "2013-12-24T20:24:54Z")
No love for Adrian Monk? _uses bubble level to align smartphone before hitting ‘submit’_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/30 "2013-12-24T20:28:41Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > No love for Adrian Monk? > > _uses bubble level to align smartphone before hitting ‘submit’_ Is that still in production? I thought it ended when he found out who killed his wife? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/31 "2013-12-24T20:50:25Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > No love for Adrian Monk? > > _uses bubble level to align smartphone before hitting ‘submit’_ I like him but he is not in production currently and I would still take Sherlock first. He is the “[Great Detective](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GreatDetective)” after all. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/32 "2013-12-24T21:36:03Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I like him but he is not in production currently and I would still take Sherlock first. He is the “[Great Detective](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GreatDetective)” after all. Someone should start a “Greatest TV Detective Of All Time” thread. I think Adrian Monk would certainly belong in a thread like that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/33 "2013-12-24T23:13:49Z")
He’s actually a Deputy Marshall, but I have to give props to Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) of _Justified_. Then there’s John Luther (Idris Elba) of _Luther_, and the incomparable Helen Mirren as Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison in _Prime Suspect_ (no longer in production, sadly). ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/34 "2013-12-24T23:33:06Z")
It is sort of a vague question, in that many shows have detectives who may or may not be the star of the show, but most often work with others. Criminal Minds, CSI, Major Crimes, White Collar, Castle, The Mentalist, Rizzoli and Isles, Law & Order SVU, Scandal - they all have teams of people who help solve the crime/mystery of the week. I think it helps if the WRITERS are good and the crime/mystery is clever. BTW, there is a new version of Murder She Wrote in the works, starring Octavia Spencer - although the name of the show might change, as there seems to be a bit of an uproar about a new version of the show. Not sure if that is because of the racial element or just purists who don’t like the idea of a re-boot of their favorite show from back then. However it didn’t stop Hawaii 5-0 from getting re-booted and becoming a hit again. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/35 "2013-12-25T04:11:27Z")
Right now, Detective Chief Superintendent [Christopher Foyle](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310455/combined) is leading the pack in my book. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/36 "2013-12-25T05:16:45Z")
Another vote for Foyle. Also, Inspector Morse and John Nettles as DCI Barnaby. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/37 "2013-12-25T08:30:05Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Naturellement. Beautifully done but sad also.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Riga\_Marole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riga_marole/32/7316_2.png) [@Riga\_Marole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riga_Marole)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/38 "2013-12-25T11:33:53Z")
Without any hesitation, I say the BEST is **Detective Inspector Frost** , _ **“A Touch of Frost”** _. It is less pretentious with fewer clichés than most others. Really, really good! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8B-yeDTdVg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8B-yeDTdVg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/39 "2013-12-25T16:49:28Z")
> [@Riga\_Marole](#): > > Without any hesitation, I say the BEST is **Detective Inspector Frost** , _ **“A Touch of Frost”** _. It is less pretentious with fewer clichés than most others. Really, really good! I haven’t seen Frost in years, but yeah, he goes on my list too. ---
**Author:** ![Riga\_Marole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riga_marole/32/7316_2.png) [@Riga\_Marole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riga_Marole)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745/40 "2013-12-25T17:07:30Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I haven’t seen Frost in years, but yeah, he goes on my list too. Phenomenal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-current-fictional-detective-on-television/676745.md?page=3)