“Listen and Learn!” – A New Sherlock Holmes for a New Audience?
Sherlock Holmes. The name alone evokes images of fog-drenched London, a violin playing in the background, and a brilliant but socially inept detective solving impossible crimes. But The CW's Sherlock & Daughter wants to rewrite the script—giving us a Holmes who might just be someone's dad.
That's right. David Thewlis steps into the role of Sherlock Holmes, while Blu Hunt plays Amelia Rojas, a Native American woman investigating her mother's murder—and, oh yeah, trying to prove that Holmes is her father. The show, created by Brendan Foley (Cold Courage, The Man Who Died), is the latest attempt to modernize Conan Doyle's world while still keeping some of its gothic charm. But the big question is: Does it work?
Sherlock Holmes: Now with a Family Drama Twist
Let's be real—Hollywood has a habit of taking classic IPs and twisting them like a pretzel. We've seen Sherlock as:
✔ A high-functioning sociopath (Sherlock, 2010)
✔ A wisecracking action hero (Sherlock Holmes, 2009)
✔ A recovering drug addict in modern NYC (Elementary, 2012)
Now, The CW is giving us “Sherlock, the long-lost father.” It's a bold choice. On paper, the father-daughter dynamic adds emotional depth. But in execution? It risks turning Sherlock from a cerebral, aloof detective into a CW-style angsty dad.
And let's not forget the real wild card—Professor Moriarty, played by Dougray Scott. Every Holmes story needs a great villain, and Moriarty's presence suggests this won't just be a personal drama; it's going full conspiracy thriller.
Will This Be a Hit—or Just Another CW Gimmick?
The CW has a track record of taking classic stories and turning them into glossy, melodramatic thrillers (Riverdale, Nancy Drew, The Winchesters). Some fans love the campy, over-the-top drama. Others? Not so much.
What's working in Sherlock & Daughter's favor:
✔ David Thewlis as Sherlock – The man oozes gravitas. If anyone can make “Sherlock with a long-lost daughter” work, it's him.
✔ A fresh perspective – Amelia Rojas as a Native American character brings new layers to the mystery genre.
✔ A proper Moriarty – Some adaptations hold back on the classic Holmes villain. Not here.
What might sink it:
❌ The CW's reputation for teen drama tropes – Will this be Sherlock meets The Vampire Diaries?
❌ A convoluted plot – If the show gets too tangled in family melodrama, it could lose the intrigue that makes Sherlock great.
❌ Die-hard Holmes purists – They barely tolerated Enola Holmes. Will they accept Sherlock & Daughter?
Worth Watching?
If you love The CW's brand of drama-filled mystery shows, this might be your next binge. But if you prefer your Sherlock brooding over a case rather than potential fatherhood, Sherlock & Daughter could test your patience. Either way, we'll find out when it premieres on April 16, 2025.
Would you watch a Sherlock Holmes show with a long-lost daughter? Let's debate in the comments.
