Best Ever Dr Watson Is Not Who You Think

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There are so so many (81) more Dr John Watson's to choose between compared the five Detective Sergeant's being ordered around by one or other Barnaby - go vote for yours, Midsomer Murders fans will thank you.

Back to Sherlock Holmes and his offsider, should I spoil the Dr Watson surprise from the article and give you the top 3, hmmm, no here's mine though ...

Nigel Bruce looking suitably bamboozled as Dr Watson
3: Nigel Bruce, The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939), etc.
He is so far from the canon it's astounding. His Watson is a bumbling fool, he is astounded by the smallest of insights, and he mumbles along with his given orders. 

I love him though, as I've would a favourite uncle. He's a terrible Watson but he'll always be there for me.

Martin Freeman as Dr Watson as he looks up from using his mobile phone
2: Martin Freeman, Sherlock (2010-2017)
I can't tell you how much I hated the idea of Sherlock when I heard about it. I can't get close to telling you how much the first episode blew me away, and astounding piece of writing and TV production.

Martin Freeman is probably the closest to a deep Watson that I feel in the books, love his interpretation.

Edward Hardwick as Dr Watson smiles and looks to the right
1: Edward Hardwicke, The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986-1988), etc.
Edward Hardwick is representing himself, his interpretation, but also the solid base that David Burke (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1984-1985, etc.) set-up before hand.

I was lucky enough to see Hardwick play Dr Watson against the best Holmes ever, Jeremy Brett, on stage in 1988. OMG, it was astounding and I can remember much about still. Just the two of them on a minimalist stage that used a few props and lights to transport us all to Baker Street and even The Reichenbach Falls.
The Secret Of Sherlock Holmes playbill, The Wyndham theatre, 1988

Go read the full list, and see how I differ.

But, before you do, I gotta say my favourite ever Dr Watson is not one that appears on TV or in movies, mine is Andrew Sachs. He played Watson in the sixteen radio episodes of The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes alongside the fantastic Clive Merrison Holmes.

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