The indomitable Enola Holmes is back, and her latest adventure promises to be her most audacious yet. Netflix has officially kicked off production for Enola Holmes 3, the third installment in the wildly popular mystery franchise starring Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock Holmes’s brilliant younger sister. Filming began on April 10, 2025, at Shepperton Studios in the UK, with additional shoots in the historic cities of Valletta and Mdina, Malta, wrapping on June 27, 2025. Directed by Philip Barantini and written by Jack Thorne, this sequel is poised to take Enola into uncharted territory, with whispers of a daring time-travel plot that could redefine the series. As fans eagerly await the film’s release, expected in spring or summer 2026, speculation about Enola’s new case—a tangled mystery set against the Mediterranean backdrop of Malta—has set social media ablaze. Could the teenage detective be venturing beyond the Victorian era? Here’s everything we know about Enola Holmes 3, from its stellar cast to its tantalizing plot, complete with a speculative trailer that captures the excitement of this next chapter.
A New Case for Enola: The Journey to Malta
Enola Holmes 3 picks up where its predecessor left off, with Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) establishing her detective agency in London after solving a conspiracy involving a factory poison in Enola Holmes 2 (2022). According to Netflix’s Tudum, the new film follows Enola to Malta, where “personal and professional dreams collide on a case more tangled and treacherous than any she has faced before.” The official logline hints at a mystery that flings Enola “into a nest of vipers,” suggesting a high-stakes political conspiracy with international ramifications.
The choice of Malta as a setting adds an exotic flair to the franchise, moving beyond the cobblestone streets of Victorian London. The island’s historic architecture and Mediterranean charm provide a fresh backdrop, with filming locations like Valletta’s baroque streets and Mdina’s medieval fortifications promising a visually stunning adventure. Reports indicate that the production spent several weeks in Malta, capturing scenes that blend mystery with a sense of global intrigue. “It’s Enola like you’ve never seen her,” director Philip Barantini teased in a June 2025 interview, hinting at a broader scope for the teenage sleuth.
A Time-Travel Twist? The Rumors Explained
The most tantalizing rumor surrounding Enola Holmes 3 is the possibility of a time-travel element, a departure from the franchise’s grounded, historical roots. While Netflix has not confirmed this plot detail, speculation began after a cryptic Instagram post from Millie Bobby Brown during filming, showing her in a costume that blended Victorian attire with anachronistic accessories, captioned, “Time’s a funny thing, isn’t it?” Fans on X quickly latched onto the hint, with theories ranging from Enola encountering a time-altering artifact to a multiversal rift inspired by the Sherlock Holmes comic The Singular Case of the Time Machine. Posts like “Enola piercing the fabric of time? I’m here for it!” trended alongside #EnolaHolmes3.
The time-travel speculation aligns with the franchise’s willingness to take creative liberties. Unlike the first film, which closely followed Nancy Springer’s The Case of the Missing Marquess, the second film wove in historical events like the 1888 matchgirls’ strike, suggesting a flexible approach to storytelling. The third film, described as an original narrative, could draw inspiration from Springer’s The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets, where Enola investigates Dr. Watson’s disappearance, but with a sci-fi twist. A time-travel plot could involve Enola uncovering a mysterious device—perhaps tied to Moriarty’s schemes—that disrupts the timeline, forcing her to navigate past and future to restore order. While unconfirmed, such a premise would elevate the stakes, appealing to both young audiences and fans of genre-bending adventures.
The Cast: Familiar Faces and New Intrigue
Enola Holmes 3 boasts a stellar returning cast, with Millie Bobby Brown leading as Enola Holmes, the quick-witted detective who breaks the fourth wall to engage audiences. Henry Cavill reprises his role as Sherlock Holmes, deepening the sibling dynamic that has become a hallmark of the series. Louis Partridge returns as Lord Tewkesbury, Enola’s love interest and a reform-minded noble, whose romance with Enola is expected to evolve. Helena Bonham Carter is back as Eudoria Holmes, the radical matriarch, while Himesh Patel and Sharon Duncan-Brewster return as Dr. John Watson and the cunning Moriarty, respectively. Susan Wokoma and Adeel Akhtar also reprise their roles as Edith and Inspector Lestrade, adding humor and heart. Newcomers include Joe Azzopardi as Mikiel Mizzi and Eirwen Phoenix in an undisclosed role, hinting at fresh faces in Enola’s Maltese adventure.
The cast’s chemistry has been a highlight of the series, and early set photos shared by Brown and Partridge suggest a playful yet intense dynamic. A behind-the-scenes Instagram skit showed Brown and Partridge in a mock spat, with Tewkesbury offering wildflowers as a peace gesture, hinting at their evolving relationship. Cavill’s Sherlock, reportedly his final outing in the role, may take a backseat to Enola’s spotlight, allowing her to shine as an independent investigator. Moriarty’s escape at the end of Enola Holmes 2 sets up Sharon Duncan-Brewster as a formidable antagonist, with sources suggesting her character will be “a full-blown nemesis” in this darker, more mature chapter.
A New Director, A Darker Tone
A significant shift for Enola Holmes 3 is the change in directorial vision. Philip Barantini, known for his intense, real-time drama Boiling Point and the Netflix series Adolescence, takes the helm from Harry Bradbeer, who directed the first two films. Barantini’s appointment, announced by Deadline in November 2024, signals a darker, more emotionally complex tone, aiming to mature the franchise alongside its audience. “We’re asking what it means for a young woman to be a detective in a world that doesn’t want her to be,” screenwriter Jack Thorne told thinglabs, emphasizing themes of independence and consequence.
Barantini’s collaboration with cinematographer Matthew Lewis, who worked on Boiling Point, promises a visually striking film, blending Malta’s sunlit vistas with the gritty intrigue of Victorian London. Production designer Gary Williamson will enhance the period authenticity, while the move to Malta suggests a grander scale. Despite a hiccup—The Sun reported a brief filming pause due to food poisoning among cast and crew—the production wrapped on schedule, with Barantini sharing a celebratory video reel on Instagram. Millie Bobby Brown’s post, captioned “Case closed,” garnered over a million likes, fueling fan excitement.
Speculative Trailer: A Glimpse into the Mystery
Imagine the screen fading in with a haunting violin score, the camera panning across Malta’s golden cliffs. Enola’s voiceover begins: “I came to Malta for answers, but what I found was a puzzle beyond time itself.” We see her in a flowing Victorian dress, clutching a cryptic pocket watch that pulses with an eerie glow. Cut to a bustling Valletta market, where Enola, disguised as a street vendor, overhears whispers of a “time fracture” threatening the British Empire. A flash of light, and she’s suddenly in a futuristic London, where steam-powered machines loom under a stormy sky.
The trailer ramps up with quick cuts: Sherlock (Cavill) warning, “Enola, you’re meddling with forces you can’t control!” Tewkesbury (Partridge) pulling her from danger as a shadowy figure—Moriarty (Duncan-Brewster)—smirks from a balcony. Eudoria (Bonham Carter) hands Enola a coded journal, whispering, “The past and future are one.” Action sequences show Enola dodging assassins in Mdina’s narrow streets, deciphering ancient runes, and confronting a masked figure who declares, “Time is no one’s ally.” The screen flashes to Enola breaking the fourth wall: “Think you can keep up with this case?” The Marvel logo fades in, followed by “Coming to Netflix, 2026.”
This speculative trailer captures the rumored time-travel twist, blending the series’ signature wit, mystery, and action with a bold sci-fi edge. While unconfirmed, such a narrative would align with Barantini’s darker vision and the franchise’s evolution, offering a fresh take on Enola’s detective skills.
Why Time Travel? A Bold Evolution
The idea of Enola Holmes venturing into time travel is a daring departure, but it fits the franchise’s knack for reinvention. The first film established Enola’s resourcefulness, while the second embraced historical context. A time-travel plot could draw inspiration from steampunk aesthetics or Victorian sci-fi, like H.G. Wells’s The Time Machine, which aligns with the era’s fascination with progress. Enola uncovering a time-altering artifact—perhaps tied to Moriarty’s schemes—would test her intellect and adaptability, forcing her to navigate unfamiliar eras while confronting personal dilemmas, like her romance with Tewkesbury or her independence from Sherlock.
Fans on X have embraced the idea, with posts like “Enola in a steampunk future? Take my money!” Others speculate that time travel could tie to Moriarty’s escape, with the criminal mastermind using a device to manipulate history. While Springer’s novels don’t feature time travel, the films’ divergence from the source material—Enola Holmes 2 was an original story—gives Thorne creative freedom. A time-travel narrative would also appeal to Millie Bobby Brown’s Stranger Things fanbase, familiar with her tackling sci-fi mysteries.
Production Triumphs and Challenges
Filming Enola Holmes 3 was a logistical feat, spanning Shepperton Studios and Malta’s historic sites. The production, which ran from April to June 2025, faced a minor setback when a catering mishap led to food poisoning, briefly halting filming. However, the team’s resilience ensured a timely wrap, with Brown and Barantini celebrating the milestone online. The move to Malta, reported by The Knowledge, added a layer of complexity, requiring coordination across international locations. The result is a film that promises to be visually spectacular, with Malta’s sun-drenched settings contrasting London’s moody streets.
Producers Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Ali Mendes, and Brown herself, through PCMA Productions, have steered the project with a focus on quality. Brown’s dual role as star and producer reflects her investment in Enola’s story, a character she’s called “deeply personal.” Executive producers Jake Bongiovi and Isobel Richards add a personal touch, with Bongiovi, Brown’s husband, supporting her vision. The creative team’s shift to Barantini signals Netflix’s confidence in elevating the franchise, with Variety noting the film’s “darker, more mature” tone.
The Stakes: Enola’s Place in the Holmes Legacy
Enola Holmes 3 is more than a sequel—it’s a pivotal chapter in Enola’s journey from a curious teenager to a formidable detective. The first film saw her search for her mother, Eudoria, while the second established her agency. This third installment, set against a potential time-travel mystery, challenges Enola to balance her personal aspirations—her romance with Tewkesbury, her relationship with Sherlock—with her professional growth. Thorne’s script reportedly explores “what it means for a young woman to be a detective in a world that still doesn’t want her to be,” a theme that resonates in the patriarchal Victorian era and any time-travel setting.
The film also marks a potential farewell for Henry Cavill as Sherlock, with rumors suggesting this is his final appearance. His exit could shift the focus entirely to Enola, cementing her as the Holmes universe’s new standard-bearer. Moriarty’s return as a central antagonist adds menace, with Duncan-Brewster’s performance expected to elevate the character into a true rival. The interplay between Enola’s wit, Tewkesbury’s loyalty, and Moriarty’s cunning promises a narrative rich with emotional and intellectual stakes.
Fan Hype and Cultural Impact
The announcement of Enola Holmes 3 has ignited fan excitement, with over a million Instagram likes on Brown’s “Case closed” post and hashtags like #EnolaHolmes3 trending globally. The series’ blend of feminist themes, youthful energy, and Holmesian intrigue has made it a cultural touchstone, with the first film amassing 189.9 million hours watched in its first 28 days and the second topping charts in 93 countries. The third film’s darker tone and potential time-travel twist have sparked debates on X, with fans posting, “Enola time-traveling to outsmart Moriarty? This is next-level!”
The franchise’s success lies in its modern take on the Holmes legacy, reimagining Sherlock’s world through a young, female lens. Enola’s fourth-wall-breaking narration and Brown’s charismatic performance have resonated with audiences, particularly young women, who see her as a symbol of empowerment. A time-travel plot would amplify this appeal, blending historical adventure with sci-fi innovation, much like Stranger Things did for Brown’s career.
Release Expectations and How to Prepare
Netflix has not confirmed a release date, but with filming wrapped in June 2025, a spring or summer 2026 premiere is likely, aligning with the franchise’s pattern of fall releases (Enola Holmes in September 2020, Enola Holmes 2 in November 2022). Post-production, including visual effects for a potential time-travel sequence, may extend the timeline, but Netflix’s packed 2025 slate suggests a 2026 debut. Fans can prepare by streaming the first two films on Netflix and reading Springer’s The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets for clues, though the film’s original story diverges from the book. Follow Netflix’s Tudum and Brown’s Instagram for trailers and updates.
Conclusion
Enola Holmes 3 is shaping up to be a thrilling evolution of the beloved franchise, with Millie Bobby Brown’s teenage detective tackling her most complex case yet in the sunlit streets of Malta. Directed by Philip Barantini, the film promises a darker, more mature tone, with rumors of a time-travel twist adding a bold sci-fi edge. With a stellar cast, including Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Moriarty, and a narrative that blends personal growth with global stakes, Enola Holmes 3 is poised to captivate audiences in 2026. Whether Enola is piercing the fabric of time or unraveling a political conspiracy, her journey will redefine the Holmes legacy. Get ready for a mystery that transcends eras—this is one case you won’t want to miss.
