[Flaming Conservative]

I read that Jeremy Brett so immersed himself in his character, that it sent him right off his rocker.

[mairdie]

I read that, too. Also read that it wasn’t helped by the death of the wife that he loved.

[Joe 6-pack]

Holmes is a tough role to play. Arthur Conan Doyle originally wrote the character as a near flawless creature of pure rationale and a total force for good against evil. Over time he wanted to expand his literary horizons, but had difficulty getting away from the Holmes serials as they paid his bills, so he tried introducing flaws and foibles hoping to make Holmes a darker, less likeable persona in hopes the popularity would fade and he could move on to other projects. His plan was not that successful as people embraced the scandalous elements of Holmes.

That being the case, when an actor studies and assumes the role, they have to determine which "Holmes" they are going to try to be. Brett pulled it off as well as anybody, but it did push him to the edge.