Sherlock Holmes: Mycroft Holmes, Explained

As a seasoned gamer with decades of Sherlock Holmes adventures under my belt, I must say that the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series, “Young Sherlock,” has piqued my interest like never before. The casting of Hero Fiennes Tiffin as the titular detective and Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes is a stroke of genius, reminiscent of Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films.


In 2009, Guy Ritchie captivated global audiences with his unique portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Filled with action, style, and a modern twist on the character brought to life by the charming Robert Downey Jr., the movie left viewers pleasantly surprised at how entertaining a Sherlock adaptation could be. Ritchie revisited the universe he crafted with the follow-up film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows in 2011, but it appeared that he was ready to move on from the famous detective residing at Baker Street since then.

Contrary to what might be assumed, it seems there is indeed a new project in the works featuring Sherlock Holmes. It’s called “Young Sherlock,” an Amazon Prime Video series where we’ll see a teenage version of the detective solving his first murder and uncovering a conspiracy at Oxford. This isn’t the only attempt to explore Sherlock Holmes in his early days; for instance, there’s the video game “Sherlock Chapter One” that focuses on Holmes investigating the death of his mother.

Drawing inspiration from Andy Lane’s book series, this upcoming series aims to deliver the same level of enjoyment as Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock movies. Similar to those films, casting plays a pivotal role. Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who previously collaborated with Ritchie in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” has been selected for the lead role of the detective. Additionally, it was recently reported by Deadline that Max Irons, famously known for his portrayal as CIA analyst Joe Turner in “Condor,” has been chosen to play Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft Holmes. But who is Mycroft, and what part does he play in the Sherlock tales?

Mycroft’s Deduction Skills Exceed Even Sherlock’s

1975 marked the debut of a musical-comedy titled “The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Intellectual Brother.” While this film centered around a fictional younger sibling created for the movie, it could just as well describe the character of Mycroft.

Initially appearing in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter”, Mycroft, who is seven years older than Sherlock, was first introduced to readers. Towering and mysterious, Sherlock acknowledges that Mycroft’s analytical abilities surpass his own, a remarkable statement considering Sherlock’s skills have been acclaimed for ages, even in comedic portrayals. Battles of wit between the two can be seen in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”, BBC’s “Sherlock” Season 3, Episode 1, “The Empty Hearse,” and the 1984 series “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes” Season 1, Episode 9, “The Greek Interpreter”. Despite Mycroft’s intellectual prowess, he lacks the drive and enthusiasm of his brother, and is unable to bring cases to court.

He Has Mysterious Ties to the British Government

To clarify, Mycroft may not share Sherlock’s enthusiasm for outdoor investigations, yet he maintains a significant role within the British government. The specifics of this position are purposefully obscure in the original tales. Nevertheless, Mycroft has fashioned an exceptional career path for himself, becoming one of the nation’s most essential figures.

Mycroft is additionally recognized as a co-founder of The Diogenes Club. Though this club isn’t explicitly portrayed as a cover for the British Secret Service in the original tales, it has been suggested as such by adaptations like the BBC’s Sherlock and the 1970 film The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes by Billy Wilder. Fans have often speculated that Mycroft played a key role in the early formation of the British Secret Service. In fact, some theories propose Mycroft as the first M character, connecting Sherlock Holmes to James Bond, who is known for his martini preference – “shaken, not stirred.

When Sherlock Faked His Death, Mycroft Was His Only Confidante

In 1893, Arthur Conan Doyle chose to end Sherlock Holmes’ life during a climactic confrontation with his sworn adversary, Professor Moriarty, in “The Final Problem.” Predictably, this decision sparked a wave of discontent among Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts. The circulation of The Strand Magazine, where Holmes was featured, significantly dropped, and readers grieved. Eventually, Doyle relented and resurrected Holmes in “The Adventure of the Empty House” in 1903. This tale unveiled that Holmes had staged his own demise, having left the country instead. Only Mycroft was privy to this secret, and he provided Sherlock with the funds necessary during the nearly three-year period when he was assumed dead. This interval is now referred to as “The Great Hiatus.” Notably, this plot twist is reversed in “Elementary,” where it’s Mycroft who needs to feign his own death.

In just four stories penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the character of Mycroft Holmes has left an indelible mark, much like his other sibling. He’s a brilliant man who serves in government, perhaps the British Secret Service, and frequently finds himself at odds with his more renowned brother. There remains a certain enigma surrounding Mycroft that keeps him intriguing, even for modern audiences. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among others, is a fan, having collaborated on three novels featuring Mycroft with Anna Waterhouse. Max Irons might have some big shoes to fill, but if Ritchie’s previous portrayal of Mycroft, by Stephen Fry, serves as an indicator, he will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the series.

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2024-09-30 00:33