Mandelson inspired Gatiss' performance in Sherlock

Mark Gatiss said he based Mycroft on Labour's Peter Mandelson. Credit: PA Wire

Actor Mark Gatiss has revealed politician Peter Mandelson inspired his performance as Sherlock's brother Mycroft in the hit BBC series.

Gatiss plays the now-Lord Mandelson, who was one of the key architects behind New Labour, in the new Channel 4 drama Coalition.

But he told the Radio Times that his depiction of Mycroft - the older brother of Benedict Cumberbatch's detective - was already inspired by the politician.