Elementary is a show.
Elementary is an American procedural drama series that presents a contemporary update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's character Sherlock Holmes . The series premiered on CBS on September 27 , 2012 . The series is set and filmed primarily in New York City . The show follows Holmes , a recovering drug addict and former consultant to Scotland Yard , as he assists the New York City Police Department in solving crimes . Before the series premiered , it was met with some criticism given it followed closely on the heels of the BBC 's modern adaptation Sherlock .