* No central database exists: There's no comprehensive record of every film, TV show, and play adaptation of literary characters.
* Varying definitions: What counts as a "depiction" is subjective. Does a brief cameo count? What about a character mentioned in passing?
* Adaptability: Some characters, like Sherlock Holmes or Dracula, have been portrayed countless times over decades.
However, we can look at some strong contenders:
* Sherlock Holmes: He's appeared in hundreds of films, TV shows, and radio plays since the late 19th century.
* Dracula: Bram Stoker's vampire has been portrayed in numerous adaptations, including classic films and more recent TV series.
* Hamlet: Shakespeare's tragic hero has been the subject of countless stage productions, films, and even opera.
* Jane Eyre: Charlotte Brontë's iconic heroine has been adapted for screen multiple times.
* The characters of Shakespeare: Many of Shakespeare's characters, including Romeo, Juliet, Macbeth, and Othello, have been depicted countless times in various media.
It's likely that Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed on screen the most, simply due to the sheer number of adaptations he has received over the years. But it's difficult to definitively prove this without a comprehensive database.