A Third Sibling?

[Caya]

Well since Sherlock's mum is played by Benedict Cumberbatch's real mum, and she has a daughter (Tracy Peacock, his half sister) whose age is given as 53 in this 2012 interview, Ms Peacock must have been in her late teens when he was born. So age-wise, it's entirely possible that there was an older (half-)sibling that came of age and/or died before Sherlock was old enough to learn about him or her.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

A half sibling would fit the bill especially if Daddy Holmes had an affair.

[jesskayding]

Well since Sherlock's mum is played by Benedict Cumberbatch's real mum, and she has a daughter (Tracy Peacock, his half sister) whose age is given as 53 in this 2012 interview, Ms Peacock must have been in her late teens when he was born. So age-wise, it's entirely possible that there was an older (half-)sibling that came of age and/or died before Sherlock was old enough to learn about him or her.

 

 

Yeah... I thought his Parents looked quite up there in age. So that's cool to know that little tidbit.

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

A half sibling would fit the bill especially if Daddy Holmes had an affair.

 

I don't think Daddy Holmes would have an affair, especially since he whispers to Mary, "She's... unbelieveably hot."

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

It was hinted at in an interview roundtable with Mark Gatiss and Benedict Cumberbatch

 

    Part of interview can be found below

 

   

 

 

  It has been a long standing theory that something happened in Sherlock's childhood that traumatized him deeply. In "HLV" it was the death of his beloved pet Redbeard and Mycroft's harsh lack of understanding and ridicule.  In very early fandom, it was the loss of a fiance or even a wife. But the event of something between Sherlock's parents have been explored in at least two movies, One, "The Seven-percent Solution" and again in the movie "Young Sherlock Holmes".

[T.o.b.y]

Okay so, so far my research is showing that there is no mention of an additional brother in the original cannon. That simply Sherrinford Hope was supposed to be the original name of Sherlock Holmes. Now there is possibility of a sister, based off a statement that Mycroft made in the Copper Beaches?, apparently something Mycroft said made it seem he was referring to a sister. 

 

There has been some fan fictions produced as a result.

 

Mycroft does not appear in "The Copper Beaches". In fact, at the time that story was written, Mycroft probably didn't even exist yet. As far as I know, Doyle, who just made things up as he went along, didn't introduce Mycroft until "The Greek Interpreter", which was published at least a year later.

 

There is the following quote in "The Copper Beaches" (Holmes is talking to Miss Violet Hunter, a client who has just received a pretty shady job offer):

 

“That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the whole matter to your consideration.”

“Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the question,” said Holmes, smiling.

“But you would not advise me to refuse?”

“I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to see a sister of mine apply for.”

 

This does not necessarily mean Mr Holmes has a sister; he could just as well be saying that if he had one, he would not want her to take the risk.

 

(By the way, Holmes does not seem to like Miss Hunter the worse for her daring. Aside from Irene Adler, she is the only woman in the old stories that he shows some interest in, but only for the duration of the case. After it is over, Watson notes: "As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success." Even if it was only a fleeting, case-associated attraction, I think Holmes had great taste in women. He seems to be have had an appreciation for courageous, independent, self-reliant and intelligent ladies. I don't think he's portrayed as a misogynist at all, he only objected to character traits his misogynistic society thought of as typically female.)

 

I do not remember any other Holmes brothers being mentioned at all. And as far as I am concerned, they can leave them out of Sherlock; I don't care who plays them. Mycroft is more than enough for me... Unless it is Moriarty. If Moriarty turns out to have been Sherlock's half-brother, that would be cool. And for me, it would even make sense.

[besleybean]

Hmmm...

[jesskayding]

Toby, why not would Moriarty being his 1/2 brother make since?

[Carol the Dabbler]

In very early fandom,writers like Starrett and Baring-Gould theorized that the whole Reichenbach story was a fabrication to hide the fact that there was no Moriarty but another Holmes sibling who had become a criminal mastermind. His genius taking a dark bent. The story behind the "Final Problem" was Sherlock's and Mycroft's way of getting that brother out of England...a way from police and deal with this "family problem" themselves.

 

Later this sibling would return to England a broken man but no longer bent on mischief.

 

 

So that's fannish lore?  And "everything's canon."  Hmm -- I can't imagine Moftiss resisting that story line forever.  So I agree with T.o.b.y:

 

If Moriarty turns out to have been Sherlock's half-brother, that would be cool. And for me, it would even make sense.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

It would make sense yes and Mycroft's line about "The Other One" is a pretty heavy hint to my way of thinking.

[jesskayding]

So do you think that this is an example of the writers using other references outside of canon?

[Carol the Dabbler]

It could be.  In fact, I consider it likely, since I can't think of anything within canon that would fit.

 

Moftiss have said on several occasions that they consider "everything" to be canon -- meaning the original stories, certain stories written by other people, lots of movies, television programs, etc.  And they've already hinted they may use the idea (from a couple of movies) that Sherlock's father had an affair (thus accounting for a half-brother).

 

[jesskayding]

Well in that case they may make it a sister:

 

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enola_Holmes_Mysteries

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Doubt that she'd be played by Andrew Scott, though!

 

I've read the first Enola Holmes book, and just loved it -- planning to get the next one now.

 

[jesskayding]

I wasn't saying she would be played by Andrew Scott.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Yeah, he's a little old for the part!

 

[besleybean]

I'm assuming any 3rd sibling is supposed to be between Mycroft and Sherlock in age?

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Some think maybe older than Mycroft even but really there won't be any knowing until "The Other One" is cast.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... and I was referring to a series of teen novels featuring Sherlock's baby sister.  I seriously doubt that Moftiss will make any use of that idea, so I was just joking there.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Yeah....I don't see Enola being that much trouble. Although, I have yet to read any of her stories. May have to take a trip to Bellabooks soon.

[Carol the Dabbler]

The premise is that Enola was born when her brothers were already adults and living elsewhere, so she has grown up (with her widowed mother's encouragement) to be quite her own person, rather than a proper young lady.

 

Even though the books predate Sherlock, I find that Springer's Sherlock and Mycroft sound amazingly like the Cumberbatch and Gatiss characters, more so than Brett and Grey (whereas I find the opposite with the original stories).

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I''ll have to give them a try then.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Be sure to start with The Case of the Missing Marquess, because the stories do follow in order.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I will do that. Thanks Carol.

[jesskayding]

I'm assuming any 3rd sibling is supposed to be between Mycroft and Sherlock in age?

 

If a brother (Sherinford), would be the oldest, if a sister (Enola) would be the youngest sibling.