Sherlock Holmesisn’t just the most famous fictional detective; he’s one of the most famous fictional characters, period. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this eccentric but brilliant English sleuth made his literary debut in the 1887 novel,A Study in Scarlet.Since then,he’s appeared in dozens of TV series and film adaptations, turning Holmes and his partner in crime, Dr. John Watson, into timeless icons.
To this day, an impressive 137 years later, Holmes and Watson continue to appear on our screens. The famous sleuth holds the record for being the most-portrayed fictional character in screen history, and it doesn’t look like he’ll stop looking for clues anytime soon. Here is every Sherlock Holmes movie and TV show currently in production, including those trapped in production hell.
‘Sherlock Holmes 3’
Unknown Release Date
One of Sherlock’s most notable recent appearances was in Guy Ritchie’s film duology: 2009’sSherlock Holmesand its 2011 sequel,Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Set in Victorian London, these films follow Sherlock and Watson as they tackle new cases and mysteries. Sherlock was played by Robert Downey Jr., who scored a Golden Globe for his performance, while Jude Law portrayed Watson.
Plans for a third film, known only asSherlock Holmes 3,were announced as early as 2011. Downey and Law supposedly reprise their roles, while Dexter Fletcher is slated to replace Ritchie as director.But the project has been in developmental hell for the last 13 years. A script has been completed, and the actors and team behind the project have shown enthusiasm, but the movie has yet to go forward with a conflicting schedule,including Downey’s involvement in the MCU as Doctor Doom, which is one of the major hindrances to getting the movie into production.
10 Anime Detectives Who Give Off a Sherlock Holmes Vibe
Crime scenes and how to solve them have prompted audiences to ask questions, reflect on their thought processes, and come up with solutions.
Two Sherlock Holmes TV Show Spin-Offs
In addition toSherlock Holmes 3,Team Downey (Robert Downey Jr.’s production studio) is working ontwo television series for HBO and Max.Details for these shows are tightly under wraps, but according to rumors, they’ll be set in the same universe as the films and may feature neither Holmes nor Watson. The series will have the Downeys (Robert and Susan) and Amanda Burrell as executive producers, showing that they will at least have a heavy hand in shaping the future of the franchise.
It’s more likely that each series will follow a new character who will be introduced inSherlock Holmes 3, whenever it’s released. It seems like all those years with the MCU rubbed off on Downey, giving him the idea to expand his Sherlock movies into a multimedia franchise.
‘Enola Holmes 3’
Late 2025, Early 2026
In the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes has only one sibling, an older brother named Mycroft. Years later, he gained a non-canonical younger sister named Enola, who starred in her own young adult book series,The Enola Holmes Mysteries.The novels were adapted into two Netflix original films: 2020’sEnola Holmesand 2022’sEnola Holmes 2. The new movie is said to have a slightly darker and grittier tone than previous entries.
Like the source material, the films are set in Victorian London.Stranger Thingsstar Millie Bobby Brown plays the titular character, who’s just as intelligent and rebellious as her older brother, while Henry Cavill plays Sherlock himself. Both films scored high viewership, so naturally,Netflix is now working on a third movie, known only asEnola Holmes 3.Millie Bobby Brown will reprise her role as Enola, Henry Cavill will return as Sherlock, and Philip Barantini is set to direct.Filming forEnola Holmes 3started in April 2025 and is expected to wrap up in July 2025; a release date is not yet confirmed, but it is estimated to be released in late 2025 or early 2026.
‘Young Sherlock’
Expected 2026
Of all these forthcoming Sherlock Holmes productions, the one that shows perhaps the most promise is this one.Young Sherlockfollows the iconic detectivebeforehe becomes an iconic detective. Set in Victorian London,Sherlock (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) is a 19-year-old studentat Oxford University, where he sets out to solve his first murder mystery.
Similar toEnola Holmes, Young Sherlockis based on the young adult book series of the same name. Interestingly, one of its producers, Guy Ritchie, who directed theSherlock Holmesfilms starring Robert Downey Jr. Hero Fiennes Tiffin, nephew of beloved thespian Ralph Fiennes, will portray the young detective. Matthew Parkhill(Deepstate,Rogue) is confirmed as showrunner and writer.Young Sherlock’seight-episode season is in production and will be released on Amazon Prime Video; it is currently set for a 2026 release window.
This will not be the first time a younger version of Sherlock Holmes has made it to the screen. 1985’s oft-forgottenYoung Sherlock Holmes,from director Barry Levinson ofGood Morning Vietmanfame, featured the college-aged budding sleuth in yet another climactic showdown with his persistent nemesis, Moriarty.
Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes Hunt Jack the Ripper in This Overlooked 1979 Thriller
‘Murder by Decree’ intriguingly theorizes what would have happened if Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes had been tasked with catching Jack the Ripper.
‘True Sherlock’
Filming Begins in January 2026
Not to be undone by the American production’s push for more Sherlock content,the British series True Sherlock has been confirmed to start filming in January 2026.Planned for four feature-length episodes, the series is based on Nicholas Sercombe’s book series,The Unexpurgated Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Eachepisode will be a stand-alone story contextualizing Sherlock Holmes in a more modern context.
The series has a confirmed showrunner in Nicholas Sercombe, marking his first time stepping into the role. The confirmed cast includes Oli Higginson, best known for his supporting roles inBridgertonand his career in the theater, as Sherlock Holmes, and Will Kemp as Professor Moriarty. The role of Watson has yet to be filled.
