Will There Be An ‘Enola Holmes 4’? Here’s What We Know So Far

Netflix subscribers have just seen ‘Enola Holmes 3‘ premiere on the platform, and fans are already buzzing with the inevitable question that follows a successful franchise entry. Is a fourth installment for the clever teen detective actually on the horizon?

The encouraging news is that the team behind ‘Enola Holmes’ doesn’t seem ready to close the case just yet. Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill first portrayed Enola and Sherlock in ‘Enola Holmes,’ which received rave reviews upon its 2020 release, and the franchise has only expanded as it heads into this new chapter.

Brown, who stars as Enola and also serves as a producer for the series, was directly asked about the possibility of an ‘Enola Holmes 4’ during promotions for the new film. In an exclusive interview with ComicBook, she mentioned that while she doesn’t make the final decisions, she would be eager to return if Netflix chooses to proceed and if Louis Partridge is also on board.

Such a response is typical for an actor who doesn’t control greenlight decisions, but it certainly isn’t a definitive no. Brown has shown a strong commitment to Enola as a character throughout the three films, and her enthusiasm could play a significant role in whether studios decide to greenlight another sequel.

Co-star Himesh Patel, who portrays a more significant version of Dr. Watson in the latest film, expressed interest in a Sherlock-focused spinoff during the same discussion. He humorously suggested that someone should pitch the idea to Netflix executives, although Brown countered that she believes there are already enough stories centered on male characters.

Henry Cavill has also shared his thoughts on the direction of the franchise in the past, aligning with the idea of maintaining the focus on Enola rather than branching off into a Sherlock-centric narrative. With Brown’s dedication to the character and Cavill’s belief that the story centers around his sister, it appears the team is inclined to continue their journey together rather than diverging.

Discussions about a potential fourth film inevitably circle back to the franchise’s performance, which has been impressive. The original film garnered a loyal fanbase from its debut, and the sequel reportedly outperformed its predecessor during its opening days.

Critically, the series has maintained a strong reputation. The first two films received high praise from critics, and ‘Enola Holmes 3’ arrived with significant anticipation surrounding its new setting in Malta and its more mature storyline, which includes Enola’s wedding plans and Sherlock’s mysterious disappearance.

Netflix typically takes its time before announcing sequels, preferring to analyze viewership data in the weeks following a release. Given the strong performance of the first two films once the numbers were revealed, it’s reasonable to expect that the streamer will closely monitor ‘Enola Holmes 3’ before making any decisions about the future.

Another factor that supports the likelihood of a sequel is the abundance of source material still available. The franchise is based on Nancy Springer’s book series, which extends well beyond the content covered in the three films so far. ‘Enola Holmes 3’ loosely drew inspiration from one of the later novels, indicating that the filmmakers have room to shape future stories creatively.

This gives Netflix and the creative team ample opportunity to continue adapting new mysteries for Enola without running out of material anytime soon. For a franchise centered around a teenage detective solving various cases, having a rich library of books to draw from is a significant advantage for future planning.

Jack Thorne, who has penned the scripts for the entire franchise, still has a wealth of material to work with if Netflix decides to move forward. This continuity in the writers’ room is often a positive indicator for a franchise’s long-term viability.

Even if Netflix greenlights another installment, fans may need to exercise some patience. The interval between the first and second films was about two years, while the wait for the second and third films extended nearly four years, primarily due to Brown’s commitments with the final season of ‘Stranger Things.’

Now that that commitment is behind her, Brown’s schedule is considerably more flexible than it was during the production of ‘Enola Holmes 3.’ This could potentially shorten the wait for a fourth film compared to the previous gap, assuming Netflix acts relatively quickly with an official order.

As of now, there is no confirmed script, director, or production timeline for ‘Enola Holmes 4,’ so anything beyond speculation would be premature. What is clear, however, is that the door remains open, and both the cast and the streaming numbers suggest Netflix has every reason to pursue it.

For the moment, all eyes are on how ‘Enola Holmes 3’ performs in its initial weeks of release, as that data will likely influence Netflix’s next steps. What mystery would you like to see Enola tackle if a fourth film gets the green light?