With so many Sherlock Holmes adaptations out there, it's understandable why Netflix's Enola Holmes has an all-star cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, and more. Still, the 2009 adaptation of Sherlock Holmes starring Downey Jr. was a success and quite entertaining. Unfortunately, Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes hasn't reached the heights of Enola Holmes, and perhaps it never will.
Brown stars as the eponymous character in Enola Holmes, which is Netflix greenlit Enola Holmes 3 (per Collider).
Enola Holmes Will Complete A Trilogy Before The Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Movies
Netflix Announced Enola Holmes 3 Is In The Works
Since Enola Holmes 3 has been confirmed, the Netflix franchise has officially sured Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes two-film series, despite the latter being older. The first Enola Holmes movie premiered in 2020, receiving critical acclaim and becoming one of the most-watched original Netflix films. Its success led to a sequel, Enola Holmes 2, which was released in 2022 and was also a triumph, which is why the announcement of Enola Holmes 3 isn't surprising.
Enola Holmes Cast |
Role |
|---|---|
Millie Bobby Brown |
Enola Holmes |
Henry Cavill |
Sherlock Holmes |
Sam Claflin |
Mycroft Holmes |
Helena Bonham Carter |
Eudoria Holmes |
Louis Partridge |
Tewkesbury |
Susie Wokoma |
Edith |
Meanwhile, Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes franchise has failed to complete a trilogy. Guy Ritchie's 2009 period mystery action movie, starring Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, was a box office triumph and received positive reviews. Consequently, Warner Bros. ordered a second film — Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. The 2011 film was a commercial success but was less favored by the critics than the first one. Nevertheless, another sequel was said to be in development, but it has yet to see the light of day.
10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Enola Holmes Movies
The tales of Sherlock's sister, Enola, have been well-received and some behind-the-scenes facts about the movies are as interesting as the events.
Will Sherlock Holmes 3 With Robert Downey Jr. And Jude Law Ever Happen?
A Third Film Is In Development Hell
Robert Downey Jr. might complete the Sherlock Holmes trilogy one day, but it won't be anytime soon. The third movie has been in development hell for over a decade. After various pre-production issues and rewrites, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly hurt the chances of Sherlock Holmes 3.
Despite these issues, Downey Jr. claims that the franchise is still a priority, as two Sherlock Holmes TV series are also in development for Max. Nevertheless, one shouldn't hold out for a second sequel. In November 2024, Jude Law discussed the status of Sherlock Holmes 3 during an interview with The Playlist, and his comments weren't reassuring. Law said:
"I think there's a new iteration of the script I haven't yet read. And then there's a case of 'How expensive is it? And can we get it made?'"
The door is open for the studio to complete the trilogy, but there is still a chance that the franchise ends after only two films. Only time will tell if Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes series continues. In the meantime, fans can look forward to a third Enola Holmes movie coming soon to Netflix.
Enola Holmes
- Created by
- Nancy Springer, Harry Bradbeer, Jack Thorne
- Cast
- David Thewlis, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Himesh Patel
The Enola Holmes franchise reinvents the classic detective genre with a fresh, youthful energy, centering on Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister, Enola. Led by Millie Bobby Brown’s charismatic performance, the films follow Enola as she navigates Victorian-era mysteries and societal challenges, all while outsmarting her famous brother. With its blend of sharp wit, engaging mysteries, and a strong feminist undertone, Enola Holmes has quickly become a standout series on Netflix, with a third installment in the works.
Sources: Collider, The Playlist
