Sherlock Holmes: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

4. Jeremy Brett - The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

Over a decade in the late 1980s and early 1990s, another former stage actor would become probably the most faithful screen rendition that there has yet been of Holmes as written by Arthur Conan Doyle. Across 41 episodes of the Granada TV series, Brett completely absorbed himself in the role that will forever be his legacy. Formerly appearing on stage as Watson (opposite Charlton Heston, whose movie Holmes was almost bad enough to make the upcoming "5 That Sucked" list), Brett is a far better fit for the eccentric detective than he is as the affable sidekick. His own personality meant that he was attracted to Holmes' wild swings between periods of lethargy and energetic outbursts, giving the character a distinctive set of vocal tics and passionate gesticulations. Brett's take on Holmes was meticulously, even obsessively, researched and accurate to the source stories in almost every detail. While this focus on fidelity above all else sometimes left the writing and direction of the show seeming a little flat and lacking in ambition or flair, as an actorly performance it does a great job of bringing the Holmes of the books to life. As the series went on, the strains of Brett's bipolar disorder (and sixty-a-day smoking habit) took their toll on his physical and mental health, but he continued to return to his signature role with a series of impressive performance up to his death.