Ask anyone who grew up watching PBS in the eighties or nineties about the definitive detective. They won't say Benedict Cumberbatch. They probably won't mention Robert Downey Jr. either. For a whole generation of mystery nerds, Sherlock Holmes Masterpiece Theatre—specifically the Granada Television production starring Jeremy Brett—is the only version that actually counts. It’s the one that feels right. The fog looks real, the deerstalker feels earned, and the protagonist isn't just a "high-functioning sociopath" for the sake of a cool catchphrase.
He's a man possessed.
Jeremy Brett didn't just play the role; he basically lived it until it almost broke him. That’s the kind of intensity you don't really see in modern procedurals anymore. When Masterpiece Theatre (now known simply as Masterpiece) brought these British imports to American shores, it changed how we viewed "prestige TV" before that term was even a thing. It wasn't just filler content. It was an event.
The Granada Connection: What Most People Get Wrong
People often get confused about where these episodes actually came from. You'll hear folks call it the "PBS Sherlock Holmes," but that’s only half the story. The series was actually produced by Granada Television in the UK. Masterpiece Theatre acted as the prestigious American vessel that delivered these gems to US audiences.
The goal was simple: Be faithful.
While other adaptations tried to make Holmes a Victorian superhero or a bumbling caricature, producer John Hawkesworth wanted the grit. He wanted the Victorian grime. He wanted the exact dialogue from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Strand Magazine stories. They even built a full-scale replica of Baker Street at the Granada studios in Manchester. Honestly, the set design alone deserves a standing ovation. It felt lived-in. You could almost smell the stale tobacco and the chemical experiments simmering on the corner table.
Why Jeremy Brett Was Different
Most actors play Holmes as a cold machine. Brett did the opposite. He played him as a man with too much electricity in his veins. He had these bird-like movements—sudden snaps of the head, frantic energy, and then long periods of "The Melancholy," as he called it.
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Brett’s Sherlock Holmes was vulnerable. He showed the cost of being a genius. It’s well-documented that Brett suffered from bipolar disorder in real life, and he often spoke about how the character’s own mood swings mirrored his struggles. This wasn't a polished Hollywood performance. It was raw. It was sometimes uncomfortable to watch.
And that’s exactly why it worked.
The Evolution of the Watson Dynamic
We need to talk about David Burke and Edward Hardwicke.
In the early Masterpiece Theatre runs, David Burke played Dr. John Watson. He was younger, more athletic, and actually helpful. He wasn't the bumbling "boob" version of Watson that Nigel Bruce had popularized in the 1940s films. But when Burke left to spend more time with his family, Edward Hardwicke stepped in.
Hardwicke changed everything.
He became the "steady" to Brett’s "unsteady." Their chemistry is the heart of the show. You see a genuine friendship that transcends the employer-employee vibe of other versions. When Holmes disappears for years in "The Empty House," the look on Hardwicke’s face when he returns isn't just surprise—it’s profound, heartbreaking relief. That’s the kind of depth that kept Masterpiece Theatre viewers coming back for over a decade.
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The Episodes That Defined a Genre
If you’re diving back into the archives, some episodes stand head and shoulders above the rest. "The Final Problem" is the obvious heavy hitter. Seeing Holmes face off against Eric Porter’s Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls remains a peak television moment. It wasn't flashy CGI; it was two veteran actors on a precarious ledge, and it was terrifying.
But "The Sign of Four" is arguably the peak of the production value. It has a boat chase on the Thames that, for the mid-eighties, was incredibly ambitious.
Then there’s "The Blue Carbuncle." It’s basically the "Christmas Episode" of the Sherlockian world. It’s lighter, funnier, and shows a side of Holmes that isn't just about hunting murderers. It’s about a lost goose and a stolen gem. It’s cozy. It’s the ultimate "rainy Sunday afternoon" television.
The High Cost of Perfection
It wasn't all Victorian tea parties and violin music behind the scenes.
By the time the series reached The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes in the early 90s, Jeremy Brett’s health was in serious decline. His heart was failing, partly due to the medication he took for his bipolar disorder. If you watch those final episodes, you can see the change. He’s heavier. He’s struggling to breathe.
Some fans find those late episodes hard to watch. I think they’re some of his most profound work. He’s literally giving his life to the character. He died shortly after filming "The Cardboard Box" in 1994. The series ended because, frankly, there was no way to replace him. You don't just "re-cast" a performance that definitive.
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Why We Are Still Obsessed With This Version
There’s a reason why, even in 2026, people still hunt down these DVD box sets or look for them on streaming services like BritBox.
- Authenticity: They didn't "modernize" it to make it edgy. The edge came from the source material.
- Pacing: It’s slow. It lets the mystery breathe. Modern shows feel the need to have a jump-cut every three seconds, but Masterpiece Theatre trusted the audience's attention span.
- The Music: Patrick Gowers’ score is haunting. That solo violin theme is instantly recognizable. It captures both the loneliness and the brilliance of the character.
How to Experience Sherlock Holmes Masterpiece Theatre Today
If you’re looking to get into this, don't just start at a random point. The series is generally broken down into four distinct eras: The Adventures, The Return, The Case-Book, and The Memoirs.
Start with The Adventures. Episodes like "A Scandal in Bohemia" set the tone perfectly. You get to see Holmes actually lose for once, outsmarted by Irene Adler. It grounds the character.
For the best viewing experience, seek out the remastered high-definition versions. The original 16mm film has a beautiful grain that looks stunning when cleaned up. It makes the Victorian London atmosphere pop in a way that the old fuzzy VHS tapes never could.
Actionable Next Steps for the Aspiring Sherlockian
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of this production, here is how to dive in:
- Watch "The Speckled Band" first. It’s arguably the most "classic" mystery and showcases the Granada production's ability to handle the gothic horror elements of Doyle’s writing.
- Compare the source material. Read the short story "The Naval Treaty" and then watch the episode. You’ll be shocked at how much of the dialogue is lifted verbatim.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs." The production designers often hid details in the background of 221B Baker Street that reference stories they hadn't even filmed yet.
- Check the supporting cast. A very young Jude Law appears in "The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place." It’s fun to see future A-listers getting their start in the foggy streets of London.
The Sherlock Holmes Masterpiece Theatre era represents a specific moment in time where art, literature, and television aligned perfectly. It wasn't just a show; it was a tribute to a character that had already survived a century. And thanks to Jeremy Brett, that character is immortal.