Fans of Millie Bobby Brown and the beloved Enola Holmes franchise have reason to celebrate: Netflix has officially unveiled the first look at Enola Holmes 3, promising a fresh case, a new locale, and a romance that seems ready to blossom. The streaming giant’s announcement, made on January 7, 2026, sent ripples through the fandom, as anticipation for the third installment of the popular detective series continues to grow.
Brown, who rose to international acclaim as Eleven in Stranger Things, reprises her role as Enola Holmes—the spirited, clever, and independent younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Since the first film’s debut in 2020, Brown has become synonymous with the character, bringing a modern spark to Victorian London and winning over viewers with her wit and resourcefulness. The franchise, based on Nancy Springer’s The Enola Holmes Mysteries, has always danced between faithful adaptation and creative reinvention—a balance that’s proven to be a winning formula for Netflix.
The excitement surrounding Enola Holmes 3 is not just about another mystery. This time, the stakes are personal. The first-look image released by Netflix shows Louis Partridge’s Lord Tewkesbury on one knee, presenting Enola with a flower shaped like a ring. Brown’s Enola sits on a bed, her shock unmistakable. According to Collider, this scene hints at a possible marriage proposal—a development that promises to push Enola’s story in unexpected directions. For fans who have shipped Enola and Tewkesbury since the first film, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for.
Netflix’s official synopsis teases a thrilling new adventure: “The latest installment in the adventures of the young detective sees her tackling another mystery, this time on the island nation of Malta. You’ll have to wait and see what brings her there—but once she’s arrived, Enola is flung into a nest of vipers. As the private detective juggles a new case and the next stages of her relationship with Tewkesbury, the game is truly afoot.” According to ComicBook.com, Enola has now opened her own detective agency, marking a significant step in her journey toward independence.
In a November 2025 interview with Collider, Brown hinted at the new direction for her character: “I’m really, really excited for people to see it. I think it’s a very different Enola Holmes that you’re going to be able to see. You asked for romance, so we’ll give you romance.” That promise is more than fan service; it marks a conscious shift in tone for the series, one that embraces the complexities of young adulthood and emotional growth.
The cast for Enola Holmes 3 reads like a who’s who of British talent. Alongside Brown and Partridge, Henry Cavill returns as the iconic Sherlock Holmes, bringing his signature gravitas and charm. Helena Bonham Carter reprises her role as Eudoria Holmes, Enola’s fiercely independent mother. Himesh Patel returns as Dr. John Watson, Sherlock’s legendary companion, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster is back as Moriarty, the franchise’s enigmatic antagonist. For fans, the return of Patel’s Watson is especially exciting, as his introduction at the end of the second film set up the next stage of Sherlock and Enola’s partnership.
Behind the camera, Enola Holmes 3 marks a change in direction. Philip Barantini, known for his work on Adolescence, Malpractice, and Boiling Point, takes over as director. Jack Thorne, who penned the scripts for the first two films, returns to write the third, ensuring continuity in tone and character development. According to ComicBook.com, Barantini is reportedly steering the story in a darker direction, promising a film that’s “very different to the first two.”
This willingness to reinvent is nothing new for the franchise. As ComicBook.com points out, the films have never been slavishly faithful to Springer’s novels. In the original books, Tewkesbury is a minor character and certainly not a love interest for Enola, and there’s a more significant age gap between them. Netflix’s adaptation, however, leaned into the chemistry between Brown and Partridge, making Tewkesbury a central figure and romantic lead. This creative liberty has been embraced by fans, who have rallied around the on-screen pair.
The third film is expected to draw inspiration from Springer’s The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets, which centers on the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Watson. While Patel’s Watson is not yet teased as a leading character, his presence hints at a plot that’s both familiar and surprising. As Collider notes, “Fans barely got a glimpse of Patel’s Dr. John Watson and so, with both of them returning, there will hopefully be more of Holmes and Watson for them to sink their teeth into.”
The journey to Enola Holmes 3 has been a long one. The film was officially announced in November 2024, with filming commencing in 2025 and wrapping in June 2025. Brown, who also serves as a producer on the project, celebrated the end of filming with a playful Instagram post: “Case closed,” she wrote, sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the set. Five months later, she expressed her excitement for the film’s release, teasing fans with promises of romance and a new direction for Enola.
Off-screen, Brown’s life has seen major milestones as well. She married Jake Bongiovi, son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, in 2024, and the couple adopted a daughter in 2025. Brown has been candid about her experiences as a new mom, telling British Vogue in November 2025, “It’s been a beautiful, amazing journey—she’s taught us so much already. Perspective is a huge thing. The smaller things in life are so much more precious. Our days are filled with lots of cuddles and laughter and love. It’s just endless joy.” Brown has also emphasized her desire to protect her daughter’s privacy, explaining, “For me, it’s really important to protect her and her story until she’s old enough to potentially one day share it herself.”
Netflix is banking on Enola Holmes 3 to help fill the void left by the end of Stranger Things. The streaming service has launched a major promotional campaign for its 2026 lineup, with Enola Holmes 3 as a centerpiece. The film’s blend of mystery, romance, and adventure, combined with its star-studded cast and new creative direction, is sure to draw both longtime fans and new viewers alike.
As the release date draws near—though it remains officially unannounced—one thing is certain: the game is, indeed, afoot for Enola Holmes. With a new mystery to solve and her heart on the line, audiences can look forward to a thrilling, heartfelt, and utterly original adventure on the island of Malta.
