Mycroft Holmes

Mycroft Holmes is a minor character on the BBC Crime Drama Sherlock. Mycroft has a job in the English goverment but according to Sherlock, it's only a minor part in the British government but he makes it seem more than it actually is. He is the older brother of Sherlock and they have a very strained relationship.

Mycroft is potrayed by Mark Gatiss who is the executive producer, co-creator, and writer of Sherlock.

History
Mycroft Holmes is first introduced when he kidnaps John and offers to pay him to spy on Sherlock out of brotherly concern. He is Sherlock's older brother and engages in sibling rivalry with Sherlock. He is concerned about his brother as well, worrying for his well-being. Mycroft is frequently mocked by Sherlock for "putting on weight". He occupies a "minor position in the British government"; however, as with many Holmes-based works, it is heavily hinted that he has a much bigger role than he claims. He is driven around in a private car with his personal assistant who goes by the name of "Anthea". Mycroft, like his literary counterpart, is also very skilled at deduction, even correcting Sherlock on occasion, as well as lacking enthusiasm for "legwork". Sherlock claims Mycroft's childhood in a nutshell was summed up when he said "I'll be mother". Mycroft apparently doesn't mind bending minor rules, since he gave Sherlock a cigarette in "A Scandal in Belgravia", saying "We're in a morgue, there's only so much damage you can do." In Mycroft's opinion, Sherlock has "the mind of philosopher or scientist, yet he elects to be a detective". However, he considers this an improvement, since as a child, Sherlock initially wanted to be a pirate.

Relationships
Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock is Mycroft's brother. They have a strained relationship with each other and they openly mock each other, but Mycroft really does care about his brothers welfare and thinks he has the intelligence to do more than be a mere detective.

Dr. John Watson

John seems to be annoyed when Mycroft sends a personal car to pick him up and take him to see him. They first met when Mycroft called him to his secret hideout and offered him money to keep an eye on Sherlock for him.

Jim Moriarty

Mycroft basically helped Moriarty destroy Sherlock and turn him into a fugitive. Because when Mycroft was called to the prison to interrigate Moriarty, Moriarty told him that he'd only talk to Mycroft if he told him his brother's life story, which he would later use to create a new story saying he had made up all of the crimes and invented Moriarty.

Irene Adler

Mycroft was the one who assigned Sherlock the job to retrieve the phone from Irene. He was the one who told Sherlock that she was playing with him and faking her love for him, which proved to be true. Irene calls Mycroft 'The Ice Man'