Unveiling Unanticipated Facets of the Iconic Detective: Sherlock Holmes
In the world of detective fiction, few characters hold as much allure as the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes. This iconic figure has been brought to life by numerous actors over the years, each leaving their unique mark on the character.
Starting in the 1950s, Peter Cushing, known for his role in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), stepped into the deerstalker to portray Holmes on BBC. Cushing's portrayal was preceded by his role as Sir Henry Baskerville in the same film, creating a fascinating connection between the two characters.
Fast forward to the modern era, and we find Benedict Cumberbatch donning the famous coat and cap to portray Sherlock in the hit series, with Andrew Scott as his formidable Moriarty. Interestingly, Scott has also appeared in the James Bond film, Spectre.
The television screen isn't the only place where Holmes has made an appearance. Patrick Macnee, best known for his role as John Steed in The Avengers, played Dr Watson to Roger Moore's Holmes in a production, and later took on the role of Holmes himself in The Hound of London.
The silver screen has also seen its share of Holmes. Douglas Wilmer portrayed Holmes in the 1962 film, "Sherlock Holmes the Golden Years."
Jeremy Brett, with 41 episodes under his belt, is a notable Holmes actor for Granada Television. However, it's Clive Merrison who holds the title of the most prolific Holmes, having completed dramatizations of all 60 of Conan Doyle's Holmes stories and novels on BBC Radio.
Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, once described the character as being as inhuman as Babbage's Calculating Machine, a testament to the intellectual prowess and detachment that characterise the great detective.
Intriguingly, Holmes has been used in advertisements for a diverse range of products, from Beecham's Pills and tobacco companies to mouthwash, breakfast cereal, furniture cream, and even photocopiers.
From the BBC to the big screen, and from advertisements to literature, Sherlock Holmes continues to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture. Martin Davies, author of Mrs Hudson and the Spirits' Curse, adds to this rich tapestry with his latest work.
