Enola Holmes & The 9 Best Portrayals Of Sherlock Holmes’ Siblings – Screen Rant

Though his movies and shows don't always show it, Sherlock Holmes actually has a family of equally eccentric and clever sleuths.

Netflixs Enola Holmes stars Millie Bobby Brown as a young detective who unearths a political conspiracy. She is also the sister of the great detective Sherlock Holmes, whose deduction skills are rather dumbed-down in this fresh take on the character by Henry Cavill. The film also features Sam Claflin as Enolas grumpy, political brother Mycroft Holmes.

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Enola Holmesdrew rave reviews from critics and fans of the Sherlock Holmes mythos see Enola as a commendable character on her own right. As Sherlock Holmes has been featured in several films and shows over the years, it makes sense for such media to also feature his siblings.

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown shines in the titular role of this 2020 period mystery film. Based on the Enola Holmes novel series authored by Nancy Springer, Enola is an adventure-seeking girl whos well versed in several academic pursuits as well as martial arts. While her older brother Sherlock might be a great detective, Enolas strength lies in her passion and her fast thinking that helps her in solving puzzles and piecing clues together.

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To make Enola more interesting, director Harry Bradbeer often made her break the fourth wall to make her case-breaking more interactive especially for the young target audience. Her stare and laughs into the camera are pretty similar to that of Fleabag, the unnamed heroine of the show of the same name also directed by Bradbeer.

In the original novels and stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlocks brother Mycroft Holmes is a government official who boasts of detective skills but hates fieldwork. Compared to his more action-oriented brother, Mycroft is a man obsessed with gentlemanly clubs and government policy. British humorist Stephen Fry perfectly captures this analytical and intelligent personality in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

Hes also shown to be quite elitist and rude in his manners, as can be seen from his refusal to shake Watsons hand and striking pedestrians who block his way with his cane. He is, however, a man of means and even helps Sherly when required, like rescuing Watsons wife from Professor Moriartys henchmen.

Portrayed by showrunner Mark Gatiss, this incarnation of Mycroft emulates his high-handed political approach. While Doyles stories dont reveal his exact position in the government service, the modern-day Mycroft Holmes from BBCS Sherlock is an asset to many. He provides assistance to the Crown, the British secret service, CIA, and his own brother in a few cases.

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Gatiss Mycroft and Benedict Cumberbatchs Sherlock often engage in a battle of wits and deduction, providing some of the finest comedic moments in the show. Mycroft is a sarcastic individual whos often shown to be embarrassed of his younger brothers eccentricities. Towards the fourth season, viewers get a glimpse of his emotional side as they both encounter a mysterious sibling of theirs.

Famous for his roles in Dracula, and Lord of the Rings, Christopher Lee has had a distinct track record when it comes to adaptations of the great detective. He played Sir Henry in The Hound of the Baskervilles, along with leading parts as Sherlock Holmes in productions from 1962 as well as 1992.

The British legend also played the part of Mycroft in the 1970 film The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. His is a slightly aged Mycroft with a fading hairline. Even though most of the depictions of Mycroft in literature and cinema portray him as clean-shaven, Lees version is also distinct for sporting a mustache. The film finds Sherlock investigating a mystery that would lead him to the Loch Ness monster, to which Mycroft readily helps.

Often playing charming and romantic characters, Sam Claflin broke typecast by playing possibly the grumpiest variant of Mycroftto date. Wearing glasses and a thick mustache, Claflins Mycroft is obsessed with civilizing his sister as he feels all women should indulge in lady-like behavior of the era. His sexism is further evident as he opposes the Reform Bill thats to be passed in the British Parliament.

Hes often at loggerheads with Sherlock Holmes, who doesnt share the same regressive views. However, rather than arguing with his brother or proving him wrong, Henry Cavills Sherlock prefers staying silent while Mycroft loses his cool at the drop of a hat.

The Japanese series Miss Sherlock is one of the few adaptations to have a female Sherlock Holmes (Yuko Takeuchi as Shelly Sherlock Futaba) and Watson (Shihori Kanijya as Dr Wato-san) in the lead roles. The show drew praise for its fresh take on the classic characters, especially in its modern-day setting, its gender-reversing roles, and a brand new Japanese lens for a very British story.

Yukiyoshi Ozawa plays the protagonists brother Kento Futaba, whos modeled after Mycroft Holmes. Like Mycrofts alliance with the Queen, Futaba serves as the Secretary to the Japanese Prime Minister. Hes slightly more empathetic towards his sibling as compared to other avatars of the character.

Just like the aforementioned Sherlock, Elementaryalso places characters from the Sherlock Holmes universe in the 21stCentury. Elementarys version of Mycroft Holmes is played by Rhys Ifans for seven episodes. Rather than engaging in leisurely activities like the other Mycrofts who are essentially foils of Sherlock, Ifans version is an undercover MI6 agentwho hides under the guise of a restaurateur.

He and Sherlock (Johnny Lee Miller) both have several unresolved issues but collaborate on a few cases, one of which involves Mycrofts former fianc. Interestingly, Mycroft names all his hotels Diogenes, a reference to the Diogenes Club that Arthur Conan Doyles original character created. This club was originally meant to be a safe haven for Londons shy, unclubbable gentlemen.'

This 2002 TV action film might now only be known for its stellar cast. The film starred James DArcy as a young Sherlock Holmes in his 20s and Vincent DOnofrio as his arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty. This stylish take on the detective changes a lot from the literature mythos as it revolves around Moriarty faking his death and starting a drug-dealing racket.

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Richard E. Grants Mycroft isnt a very confident, well-earning official anymore as he too turns into an opium addict who's also a part of Moriartys drug network. This may be a notably darker take on Sherlock's brother, but it's an interesting turn nonetheless.

Much like the 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes (Sir Ian McKellen) in Mr. Holmes, Mycroft too is aged in this and on the verge of senility in this speculative version of the classic detective yarn. Both brothers have fading memories, as Sherlock tries to piece together the details of his final case.

Mycroft is played by John Sessions who is mostly known for his improv comedy in Whose Line Is It Anyway?The actor has also played Arthur Conan Doyle, the very creator of Sherlock Holmes, in the British biopic TV series Mr. Selfridge.

Eurus Holmes (Sian Brooke) is quite a polarizing character. She is the youngest sibling of Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series and appears towards its latest (and perhaps final) season as one of the antagonists. Even though Sherlocks dead adversary Moriarty was being teased throughout the final episodes, Eurus was the big reveal.

While viewers werent particularly pleased with her sudden storyline and far-fetched abilities, Eurus still gave tough competition to the Holmes siblings with her extreme intelligence. Mycroft claims that Eurus is an era-defining genius. However, she misused her powers from a young age practically reprogramming and enslaving people. Her borderline-superhuman powers lead to fits of isolation and madness till Sherlock decides to finally use his emotions to help her.

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Based in Delhi, India, Shaurya Thapa is a Third World boy writing on First World pop culture. He's into freelance journalism, hip-hop, and engaging in critical analyses over films and TV of varied genres.

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Enola Holmes & The 9 Best Portrayals Of Sherlock Holmes' Siblings - Screen Rant

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