Enola Holmes is trading the cobblestone streets and gaslit mysteries of Victorian London for the sun-drenched cliffs and shadowy politics of Malta in the highly anticipated third installment of the Netflix franchise. The newly released trailer, titled “A Nest of Vipers,” confirms the shift: after two films centered on domestic intrigue, family secrets, and outsmarting the system at home, Enola is summoned far beyond Baker Street to investigate the sudden disappearance of a high-ranking British diplomat on the Mediterranean island nation. What begins as a missing-person case quickly spirals into a web of international espionage, double agents, and high-stakes secrets that could ignite conflict across Europe.
Millie Bobby Brown returns as the sharp-witted, fiercely independent detective, now older, wiser, and thrust into grown-up dangers where charm and quick thinking alone may not be enough. The trailer opens with a sweeping shot of Malta’s azure waters and golden stone architecture, a stark contrast to the foggy gloom of previous adventures. Enola arrives under the guise of a tourist, but her eyes scan every face, every alley, sensing the professionals lurking in plain sight. The voiceover sets the tone: “You’re not surrounded by enemies. You’re surrounded by professionals.” The line lands like a warning—Enola is no longer playing against predictable foes; she’s up against a network of spies who operate with precision and zero mercy.
The plot thickens rapidly. The missing diplomat isn’t just any official—he holds sensitive information that could destabilize alliances and tip the balance of power in a fragile post-Victorian Europe. Enola’s investigation uncovers layers of deception: coded messages hidden in tourist postcards, clandestine meetings in ancient catacombs, and seemingly innocent locals who are anything but. The trailer teases a “full nest of vipers”—a phrase that evokes betrayal at every turn. Allies turn suspect, information becomes currency, and trust becomes a luxury Enola can no longer afford.
Henry Cavill reprises his role as Sherlock Holmes, though his involvement appears more distant this time. The trailer shows brief glimpses of him in London, poring over maps and telegrams, offering cryptic advice via letter or telegraph. His absence on the ground forces Enola to rely on her own instincts more than ever, highlighting her evolution from rebellious teenager to a detective capable of navigating global intrigue. Louis Partridge returns as Tewkesbury, now a more mature figure in Parliament, whose political connections may prove vital—or dangerously compromised. Helena Bonham Carter’s Eudoria also appears in flashbacks and subtle nods, reminding viewers of the radical roots that shaped Enola’s worldview.
Visually, the production has leveled up. Malta’s historic fortifications, bustling harbors, and labyrinthine streets provide a stunning backdrop that blends old-world mystery with Mediterranean vibrancy. The color palette shifts from the muted browns and grays of London to warm terracotta, deep blues, and golden sunlight—yet shadows still dominate the key scenes. Director Harry Bradbeer, returning for the third film, leans into the espionage aesthetic: quick cuts, tense close-ups during interrogations, and sweeping drone shots that capture the island’s strategic beauty and isolation. The score pulses with urgency, blending classical strings with modern electronic undertones to mirror Enola’s blend of tradition and innovation.
The trailer emphasizes Enola’s personal growth. No longer the wide-eyed girl outsmarting her brothers, she faces moral ambiguity on a larger scale. One pivotal moment shows her hesitating before planting false evidence to gain an informant’s trust— a calculated move that blurs the line between detective and operative. Another scene captures her in a high-society gala, dressed in elegant attire yet moving like a predator, reading body language and overheard whispers. The stakes are clear: failure doesn’t just mean a lost case; it could mean war.
Fan anticipation has reached fever pitch since the trailer’s January 2026 drop. Social media buzzes with theories: Is the diplomat’s disappearance tied to a larger conspiracy involving foreign powers? Will Enola cross paths with real historical spies from the era? How will her relationship with Tewkesbury evolve now that both are entangled in adult responsibilities? The Malta setting opens fresh narrative doors—colonial tensions, maritime trade routes, and the island’s strategic position in the Mediterranean make it the perfect stage for international thriller elements woven into the Holmes universe.
The film promises to balance high-octane suspense with the wit and heart that defined the series. Enola’s signature disguises return—perhaps a local fisherman, a society widow, or a journalist—but now they serve deeper deception. Her inner monologues, once playful asides to the camera, carry more gravity, reflecting the weight of decisions that affect nations rather than neighborhoods.
Production details remain tightly guarded, but reports indicate filming wrapped in late 2025 across Malta and select UK locations. Netflix has positioned the release for late 2026, capitalizing on the franchise’s growing global fanbase. With Millie Bobby Brown’s star power continuing to rise and the Holmes brand’s timeless appeal, expectations are sky-high.
Enola Holmes 3: A Nest of Vipers signals a bold evolution for the series—bigger map, bigger risks, bigger truths. Enola is no longer just solving mysteries; she’s stepping into a world where the truth itself is a weapon. As the trailer fades on her determined gaze against a sunset over Valletta’s harbor, one question lingers: in a nest of vipers, who will strike first?
