Check In With the Cast of ‘Elementary’: What the Stars Are Up To Today—Jonny Lee Miller to Lucy Liu

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson get a dramatic modernization in the 2012 drama series, Elementary, where the crime-solving duo heads to modern-day Manhattan as opposed to the expected setting of London. In the series, Sherlock flees London for New York after a stint in rehab, where he is paired up with a sober companion, Joan Watson, rather than the original John Watson.

While trying to stay clean, Sherlock gets back to his roots by beginning work as a police consultant. With the help of Dr. Watson, the duo becomes the go-to pair to crack some of the city’s most difficult cases.

Elementary ran for seven seasons from 2012 until 2019 and was nominated for two Primetime Emmys along the way. Catch up with the stars of the series and find out what they’ve been up to in recent years! 

Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes

Born: November 15, 1972, Surrey, England

Personal life: Previously married to Angelina Jolie from 1996 to 1999 and Michele Hicks from 2008 to 2018

Best known for: Mansfield Park (1999), Dracula 2000 (2000), Mindhunters (2004) and Æon Flux (2005)

Recent roles: The Crown (2022) and The Covenant (2023)

Thoughts on Elementary: “One thing I love about this character is that he’s quite raw, and his struggles are on the surface,” Miller said. “Hopefully, that makes it more enjoyable for people and they can identify with that.”

Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson

Born: December 2, 1968, New York City

Personal life: Mother to son Rockwell Lloyd Liu, born on August 27, 2015

Best known for: Charlie’s Angels (2000), Chicago (2002), Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003) and Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Recent roles: A Man in Full (2024), Old Guy (2024), Red One (2024) and Rosemead (2025)

Thoughts on Elementary: “I liked the fact that it [Elementary] was going to be about [Joan and Sherlock’s] relationship and their friendship, and bringing that into modern times,” Liu shared. “And I thought it was wonderful to change up the gender.”

Aidan Quinn as Captain Thomas Gregson

Born: March 8, 1959, Chicago, Illinois

Personal life: Married to Elizabeth Bracco since 1987; father to daughters Ava and Mia

Best known for: Legends of the Fall (1994), Michael Collins (1996), Practical Magic (1998) and Flipped (2010)

Recent roles: Blue Bloods (2024) and Rematch (2025)

Thoughts on Elementary: “The script number one [attracted me to the role], the actors I’m working with number two, and the fact that I’m not Sherlock or Watson, so I won’t be working five days a week hopefully,” Quinn explained. “That’s a serious attraction. You work very, very long hours when you’re the lead.. The show is also an attraction. It’s in New York, it’s a great story and the writers are writing interesting stuff. We’re getting great directors and a great guest cast from a wonderful pool of New York actors, so it’s all good.”

Jon Michael Hill as Detective Marcus Bell

Born: July 28, 1985, Waukegan, Illinois

Best known for: Detroit 1-8-7 (2010-2011), Falling Overnight (2011) and Widows (2018)

Recent roles: 61st Street (2022-2023) and A Man in Full (2024)

Thoughts on Elementary: “I think the years on Elementary, I didn’t get bored because I sort of poured myself into every aspect of that production shadowing the producers and directors so that I would be ready to direct if they finally gave me the opportunity,” Hill shared. “And I felt more at home in that role when I did get the opportunity to direct than I thought I would. I don’t seek out leadership roles, but when it came along, I felt at home in it.”