The 10 Best Moriartys: Ranking the Masterminds of Sherlock Holmes!
Moriarty Mania: Why This Villain Is So Awesome (and the Actors Who Nail It!)
Sherlock Holmes. That name alone brings images of that brilliant detective, solving impossible mysteries! But every great hero needs an equally amazing villain; someone just as intelligent and capable – the legendary Professor Moriarty! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories feature many baddies but Moriarty stands out– he’s pure evil genius. A master criminal mastermind who almost entirely rivals Sherlock's mind! He shows up briefly but his shadow hangs over many adventures; even becoming this unforgettable legend only hinted at throughout many stories, even more impacting compared to many other more fully realized characters in that particular canon! That lasting presence across various adaptations and films makes Moriarty one of the most consistently memorable elements found throughout this rich literary canon!
The actors playing him? They’ve got a seriously tough job! Each must rise above prior brilliant performances; they all need to make their own version unforgettable, unique; they’ll attempt to reinvent that truly evil mastermind– demonstrating how deeply impressive it is that every different attempt managed to capture various aspects from this deep fictional history and these very real human emotions within their character. We’re ranking the top ten based on everything– from faithful adaptations, reimagining, even the completely bizarre; these are the top interpretations that managed to showcase something interesting. And for good measure, there's some information for all the versions, even those only hinted at. Let’s get to it!
Top 10 Moriartys: From Classic Cinema to Modern Masterpieces
10. Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Enola Holmes 2, 2022): A Fun, Sinister Twist
Enola Holmes 2's take? A really brilliant reimagining, which made Sharon Duncan-Brewster’s Moriarty unique. This modern take fits the YA vibe perfectly– a truly great balance between sinister and playful. This clever interpretation creates a powerful female villain that's awesome fun, cleverly concealing her identity as Mira Troy, eventually revealed as that terrifying mastermind! The Enola Holmes movies stray significantly from Conan Doyle’s source, offering a completely unique adaptation which highlights its themes effectively.
9. Vincent Price (The Great Mouse Detective, 1986): The Perfect Disney Villain!
Vincent Price's voice work as Professor Ratigan (in The Great Mouse Detective)? Totally iconic, an awesome blend of sinister and humorous that made that animated version an even bigger hit! He is clearly an ideal Disney take. While not strictly Moriarty, he embodies that evil genius vibe incredibly effectively; completely embodying all that makes Moriarty so successful– perfectly emulating that sinister tone in this kid-friendly take on classic literary material!
8. Anthony Higgins (Young Sherlock Holmes, 1985): A Prequel Masterpiece!
Young Sherlock Holmes wasn’t a smash, but an underrated gem with a surprisingly complex Moriarty prequel. Anthony Higgins, as Professor Rathe (later revealed as Moriarty), delivers this beautifully layered character and plays a huge part in how Sherlock becomes that famous and iconic master sleuth; further highlighting how powerful a completely separate interpretation might become within this already well-established framework! It isn’t just about copying the plot – it is about providing the same thematic depth but with completely distinct styles that have resonated strongly throughout the industry; adding depth, originality, yet perfectly conveying some truly classic literary elements, making it a much more complex take. His actions and decisions would eventually shape how some future plotlines develop! He's superb!.
7. Daniel Davis (Star Trek: The Next Generation): An Existential Moriarty
Not a Sherlock Holmes show, but Star Trek: The Next Generation gave Moriarty one of its greatest small screen interpretations, completely reinterpreting this famous antagonist! Daniel Davis's Moriarty is this unique character in that incredibly compelling performance which is often ignored and needs to be appreciated by more audience members and is easily found within this show: a hologram, his character challenges ideas surrounding existence and free will, creating several unforgettable moments throughout his many encounters within this particular show’s runtime. It is an impressively well-crafted role for those wishing for something far different, something philosophical, while adding unexpected emotional depth. A master class!
6. Eric Porter (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1984-1994): Classic Charm and Chemistry
This widely-considered definitive Sherlock Holmes series (Jeremy Brett's Sherlock) really does a wonderful job; and Eric Porter’s Moriarty has perfect onscreen chemistry with Brett; those moments when they face each other on screen deliver pure electrifying energy. This particular show is wonderfully faithful, providing moments and interactions from the original stories while successfully enhancing this already amazing storyline, creating a new reality for viewers; a classic duo playing those two deeply important rivals perfectly, adding an enjoyable, yet tense, emotional conflict. That onscreen energy, even that chemistry between these actors in those small roles makes a large part for making these particular roles really, really memorable; showing a compelling rivalry, adding lots of needed depth and an excellent performance even with his limited screentime. He's intensely charming!
5. Laurence Olivier (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, 1976): A Subverted Mastermind
Laurence Olivier’s Moriarty in The Seven-Per-Cent Solution is very different! This take takes those literary concepts in unique, almost absurdist directions; adding layers of humour while showing the playful interpretation found here – showcasing how Olivier's performance works brilliantly! This specific spin puts Moriarty as this meek professor wrongly accused and adding significant details, such as an introduction of real life characters, all combined with amazing performances. A wonderfully subversive take and totally successful.
4. Natalie Dormer (Elementary, 2012-2019): A Romantic and Ruthless Moriarty
Elementary's Moriarty is amazing and easily remembered by those fans familiar with that brilliant series and her compelling interactions! Natalie Dormer nailed the blend of romance and ruthless villainy! She cleverly combines that legendary criminal and Irene Adler; which expands those previously established moments and created many intense storylines involving a romantic-driven crime boss. This brilliant dynamic and character arc in Elementary – with their complex, complicated relationship full of admiration, respect, and a touch of passionate conflict. This interpretation elevated Elementary's entire story, bringing a fantastic and totally compelling recurring presence and emotional conflict!
3. George Zucco (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1939): The First (and Best) of the Classics
We can’t ignore this one. George Zucco's Moriarty (in the classic Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films) remains a timeless version of Moriarty; showcasing that the brilliant chemistry between those actors greatly adds depth to their interactions; delivering those memorable moments that helped make many a fan eager to return! His Moriarty was the blueprint. It’s pure classic Hollywood, wonderfully acted; this interpretation remains extremely impressive, completely capturing those moments from the very specific era in a perfectly convincing and timeless portrayal!
2. Jared Harris (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011): A Worthy Opponent to Downey Jr.’s Sherlock
The Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies? A game-changer! A really new spin– an action-packed, totally thrilling Sherlock Holmes that reimagines and enhances those aspects which really made many fans totally delighted. Jared Harris’s Moriarty matches wits flawlessly. This very engaging character; his cunning brilliance is portrayed well. Harris is phenomenal; completely conveying how dangerously clever Moriarty truly was and that intense struggle between Moriarty and Sherlock is what keeps the storyline completely thrilling. It’s really this perfect balance of intellectual combat alongside explosive action; perfectly utilizing his unique character and abilities in each moment!
1. Andrew Scott (Sherlock, 2010-2017): A Revolutionary Take on Evil Genius
And the winner! Andrew Scott’s Moriarty (from the BBC Sherlock) redefined the character forever! The dynamic and young actor; he's a total energetic force and made those legendary interactions between him and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock incredibly intense and explosive! His intense, slightly unnerving energy created that incredible magnetic quality in a completely unforgettable performance which will likely shape interpretations for future actors! That dynamic and compelling approach really shook up that original storyline in entirely fresh ways and that energy, and brilliance made him a major force; the stuff of legends and that energy elevated many episodes.
Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of Moriarty
Each Moriarty is different. Some stay true to source material. Some create their own thing completely. The sheer diversity and brilliant adaptations presented today are a demonstration that it really can’t be an easy act, yet each completely deserves a watch. These range from the classic to modern interpretations that prove the incredible capacity of this fictional villain and the different ways that the sheer genius of this criminal mastermind is something uniquely unforgettable! So check these interpretations out! You won’t be disappointed!
