The second half of the 19th century in Great Britain went down in history as the “Victorian era”, in honor of Queen Victoria, who occupied the English throne for more than half a century. This period is usually associated with everything truly English: conservatism, impeccable manners, restraint and inimitable humor. The English writer Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a real gentleman of the Victorian era, who perpetuated its unique atmosphere. Conan Doyle created many works in a variety of genres, but worldwide fame, popularity and, ultimately, an honorable place among the classics of world literature he owes it to private eye Sherlock Holmes, a character who was created almost by accident in the hope of earning money to support his family. However, very soon the stories and stories about the detective from Baker Street became extremely popular. The image of Sherlock Holmes - a stunningly charming and realistic hero - had a huge influence on the formation of the detective genre, as well as on the literature, art and culture of the 20th century as a whole. Detective fiction has become one of the most popular genres all over the world. Most stories about detectives of all times have formed the basis of films, plays and television productions. To date, more than 200 films about Holmes have been made, and since 1900, more than 70 actors have presented their interpretation of this character. There is hardly a person today who has never heard of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Doctor Watson. Vasily Livanov, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire as the best performer in the role of Sherlock Holmes, attributed the enduring charm of Conan Doyle's characters to the fact that readers and viewers "are in love with the relationship between these two people, with the nature of their male friendship, with their reaction to the world around them..." . At first glance, Holmes and Watson seem completely different: one is a man of refined intellect, despising everything banal, an eccentric and artistic personality, the other is a modest retired military doctor who admires his extraordinary friend. However, both of them, like their creator, are genuine English gentlemen who embodied all the best that was in the people of that time.