Which actress played Irene Adler in Sherlock?

Lara Pulver played Irene Adler in Sherlock.

Pulver appears as Irene in "A Scandal in Belgravia," the first episode of the programme's second series, broadcast in 2012. Sherlock's version updates Adler from Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian stories into a modern professional dominatrix known as "the Woman." She possesses sensitive photographs that make her a target of both Mycroft Holmes and the British government.

The role is often remembered because Irene is one of the few characters who genuinely outmanoeuvres Sherlock. Their relationship is built around deduction, deception and mutual fascination rather than a straightforward romance. A common mix-up is confusing the character with Molly Hooper, played by Louise Brealey, or with Mary Morstan, played by Amanda Abbington. Neither actress played Adler.

Pulver later appeared again as Irene in the series-three episode "The Sign of Three," although the character's presence there is brief and connected to Sherlock's imagination. Outside Sherlock, Pulver is also known for True Blood, Spooks and the television series Da Vinci's Demons.