Why Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes remains the definitive screen portrayal of the detective
In short: Granada Television’s 1984 adaptation of Sherlock Holmes is widely considered the most faithful screen version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s canon. Starring Jeremy Brett, the series achieved legendary status through its meticulous period detail, high production values, and a performance that redefined the detective for a new generation of viewers.
Developed by screenwriter John Hawkesworth, the series aimed for total authenticity to the original stories. Jeremy Brett, who was approached for the role in February 1982, became deeply invested in the project, often scrutinizing scripts for discrepancies against Doyle’s source material. To capture the Victorian atmosphere, the production team constructed a full-scale outdoor replica of Baker Street at Granada’s studios in Manchester, which later became a popular tourist attraction.
The series spanned 41 episodes produced between 1984 and 1994, adapting 43 of the 60 original Holmes stories. While the show is praised for its accuracy, it did take creative liberties, particularly in later years. For instance, the 1994 episode 'The Mazarin Stone' combined plot elements from two separate Doyle stories. Additionally, with the approval of Doyle’s daughter, Jean Conan Doyle, the show depicted Holmes quitting his cocaine habit in 'The Devil's Foot'—a departure from the original books, where this development occurs in 'The Missing Three-Quarter', a story the series never adapted.
The show’s legacy is inextricably linked to its cast. Jeremy Brett’s portrayal of Holmes is frequently cited as definitive, though his later years were marked by severe health struggles, including depression and adverse reactions to medication. He passed away in 1995 at age 61, leaving 19 stories from the canon unadapted. Despite this, the series remains a benchmark for television adaptations, having been broadcast internationally and repeated frequently on networks including the BBC, a rarity for a show originally produced by an ITV company.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sherlock Holmes (1984 TV series)
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