7 similarities between Dr. Gregory House and Sherlock Holmes

For many fans of the House, MD show, it’s easy to see the similarities between Dr. Gregory House and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. David Shore and Paul Attanasio, the creators of the show, have even admitted that they deliberated by basing their main character on the detective.

To see how the creators worked their passion for Sherlock Holmes into the show, here are 7 similarities:

1. They both have similar names.

Holmes’s name is similar to the word "homes" whereas the House name is just another name for a house. Even the names of his loyal companions are similar: John Watson and James Wilson.

2. You both only have one loyal friend.

The relationship between Holmes / Watson and House / Wilson is similar in that both Holmes and House are dominant personalities, while Watson and Wilson are followers. In many cases, even though Holmes and House may abuse their loyal friends, Watson and Wilson remain loyal. However, both Holmes and House need their loyal friends because they often serve as the only real connection to the outside world.

3. Both reject cases that do not interest them.

Both main characters only take cases that interest them. Both need to be intellectually stimulated to take and fulfill a case (either to catch a deadly criminal or to diagnose a deadly disease). They will only accept cases that do not interest them if they are forced to act.

4. Both treat those around them with indifference.

House and Holmes are famous for how poorly they treat those around them (House is particularly famous for his bedside manners). Although they may show interest in people during a case, they often lose interest once the case has been resolved. The nonchalant behavior makes those around the two main characters see them as antisocial and arrogant.

5. They both have drug addictions.

Both main characters have been described as drug addicts. While House was addicted to painkillers, Holmes used cocaine recreationally. However, both men used drugs to escape boredom (and House also used drugs for pain in his leg).

6. Both have a keen sense of observation.

Both main characters can learn numerous facts about a person simply by observing them. For example, House can diagnose a disease simply by observing an individual’s subtle gestures, such as a particular tic.

7. They both have the same apartment number.

Another interesting and obvious fact is that House lives in apartment 221B (as seen in the episode titled "Hunting"), which is also the same apartment number as Sherlock Holmes.

Although House, MD aired its final season in May 2012, it remains a fan favorite as a medical drama series. With its tribute to Sherlock Holmes, the series provides even more entertainment, as fans new and old watch it again to find the Easter eggs.