Netflix’s 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 aren't the focal point in this fresh take on the character by Henry Cavill. The film also features Sam Claflin as Enola’s grumpy, political brother Mycroft Holmes.
Enola Holmes drew 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.
Updated on November 10th, 2022, by Kevin Pantoja: November 4th marked the release of Enola Holmes 2, which is already another hit for the streaming service. This time around, Enola and Sherlock work together more often, meaning it delivers on the promise of seeing the siblings as a powerful duo. Unfortunately, Mycroft is absent in the sequel, so the trio might have to wait for a third installment to work out their issues. Still, the film marks another standout performance from Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock's younger sister.
Millie Bobby Brown As Enola Holmes In Enola Holmes (2020) & Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
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Star of Stranger Things 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 who’s well versed in several academic pursuits as well as martial arts. While her older brother Sherlock might be a great detective, Enola’s strength lies in her passion and her fast thinking that helps her in solving puzzles and piecing clues together.
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.
Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes In Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (2011)
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In the original novels and stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes is a government official who boasts 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.
He’s also shown to be quite elitist and rude in his manners, as can be seen from his refusal to shake Watson’s hand and striking pedestrians who block his way with his cane. He is, however, a man of means and even helps Sherlock when required, like rescuing Watson’s wife from Professor Moriarty’s henchmen.
Mark Gatiss As Mycroft Holmes In Sherlock (2010-2017)
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Portrayed by showrunner Mark Gatiss, this incarnation of Mycroft emulates his high-handed political approach. While Doyle’s stories don’t reveal his exact position in the government service, the modern-day Mycroft Holmes from BBC’S 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.
Gatiss’ Mycroft and Benedict Cumberbatch’s 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 who’s often shown to be embarrassed of his younger brother’s eccentricities. Towards season 4, viewers get a glimpse of his emotional side as they both encounter a mysterious sibling of theirs.
Christopher Lee As Mycroft Holmes In The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes (1970)
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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, Lee’s 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. As always, Lee delivers a stellar performance.
Sam Claflin As Mycroft Holmes In Enola Holmes (2020)
Stream On Netflix
Often playing charming and romantic characters, Sam Claflin broke typecast by playing possibly the grumpiest variant of Mycroft to date. Wearing glasses and a thick mustache, Claflin’s 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 that’s to be passed in the British Parliament.
He’s often at loggerheads with Sherlock Holmes, who doesn’t share the same regressive views. However, rather than arguing with his brother or proving him wrong, Henry Cavill’s Sherlock prefers staying silent while Mycroft loses his cool at the drop of a hat. Claflin makes sure that this is a character who isn't likable but is still someone to watch on the screen.
Yukiyoshi Ozawa As Kento Futaba In Miss Sherlock (2018)
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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 protagonist’s brother Kento Futaba, who’s modeled after Mycroft Holmes. Like Mycroft’s alliance with the Queen, Futaba serves as the Secretary to the Japanese Prime Minister. He’s slightly more empathetic towards his sibling as compared to other avatars of the character.
Rhys Ifans As Mycroft Holmes In Elementary (2012-2019)
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Just like the aforementioned Sherlock, Elementary also places characters from the Sherlock Holmes universe in the 21st Century. Elementary’s 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, Ifan’s version is an undercover MI6 agent who 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 Mycroft’s former fiancé. Interestingly, Mycroft names all his hotels Diogenes, a reference to the Diogenes Club that Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character created. This club was originally meant to be a safe haven for London’s ‘shy, unclubbable gentlemen.'
Richard E. Grant As Mycroft Holmes In Sherlock: Case Of Evil (2002)
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This 2002 TV action film might now only be known for its stellar cast. The film starred James D’Arcy as a young Sherlock Holmes in his 20s and Vincent D’Onofrio 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.
Richard E. Grant’s Mycroft isn’t a very confident, well-earning official anymore as he too turns into an opium addict who's also a part of Moriarty’s drug network. This may be a notably darker take on Sherlock's brother, but it's an interesting turn nonetheless.
John Sessions As Mycroft Holmes In Mr. Holmes (2015)
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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.
Sian Brooke As Eurus Holmes In Sherlock (2010-2017)
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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 toward its final season as one of the antagonists. Even though Sherlock’s dead adversary Moriarty was being teased throughout the final episodes, Eurus was the big reveal.
While viewers weren’t 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 until Sherlock decides to finally use his emotions to help her.