It’s been nine agonisingly long years since the BBC’s best detective drama, Sherlock, disappeared from our screens and now, he’s making a comeback – but in a slightly different guise. Sky is bringing us what’s set to be the new Sherlock in the form of The Death of Sherlock Holmes. The unmissable series will explore a missing chapter in the iconic detective’s story and, we have a feeling it'll rival some the greatest detective dramas we know (including you, Sherlock!).
The upcoming series, which is already in production, will expand on the characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle in the original stories and follow Sherlock (played no doubt brilliantly by Rafe Spall) in the years he was believed to be dead. Instead, we’ll see what really happened at the Reichenbach Falls – how he was discovered, barely alive, by a local woman and her son, and the incredibly survival story that came next.
While we patiently wait for the series to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about The Death of Sherlock Holmes, including the plot, cast and expected release date.
What is The Death of Sherlock Holmes about?
The new series will explore a missing chapter in Sherlock Holmes’ life: the three mysterious years between his disappearance in 1891 and his return in 1894. It’s a chapter that Arthur Conan Doyle left untold, but that will now get its moment on screen.
Rafe Spall will play the iconic detective and the series will begin with one of the most famous moments in literary history: the apparent death of Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls. Set against the majestic Swiss Alps, the Englishman is found barely alive in an icy mountain stream by local woman Alma (played by Deleila Piasko) and her young son, Franz.
Sky’s official synopsis continues: “When the village doctor is found murdered, villagers turn on the boy, leaving the amnesiac stranger as his only hope. Though the man remembers nothing, flashes of razor-sharp deduction betray a hidden past.
“As unsettling fragments of memory return, he must confront an unnerving question: who is he really? What starts as an isolated Alpine mystery soon opens into a far-reaching conspiracy that draws the man closer to the truth of his past - and the legendary name he may once have borne.”
Jonathan Ford, Managing Director of Sphere Abacus says of the series: “Audiences continue to be enthralled by the exploits of Sherlock Holmes. This new iteration, created by our friends at Silver Reel and recounting Holmes' completely unknown adventures during a mysterious and pivotal moment in Holmes’ life, is sure to delight viewers around the world.”
Katie Keenan, Group Director of Acquisitions at Sky, added: “We’re excited to come on board this smart new reimagining that opens up an untold chapter in the Sherlock Holmes story - anchored by the return of Rafe Spall to Sky in the leading role.”
Who’s in the cast of The Death of Sherlock Holmes?
So far, the cast of The Death of Sherlock Holmes includes:
- Rafe Spall (Under Salt Marsh, Trying) as Sherlock Holmes
- Deleila Piasko (The Exposure, Transatlantic) as Alma
We’re expecting more cast members to be announced soon, so watch this space for more details as we have them.
How can I watch The Death of Sherlock Holmes?
The Death of Sherlock Holmes will air on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland in 2027. As soon as we have an exact date, we’ll update you here. In the meantime, you can check out our pick of the best detective dramas to watch now below.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you fancy being whisked off to the Spanish sunshine, we’d suggest getting acquainted with The Mallorca Files. Set in the sunny climes of Mallorca, the BBC series features an extremely watchable crime-solving partnership between Detective Miranda Blake (Elen Rhys) and Max Winter (Julian Looman). You can watch The Mallorca Files now on Prime Video. If you’re a fan of shows like Keeping Faith and The Killing, we’d recommend Hinterland. The series introduces us to tormented detective Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington), who leaves London for Aberystwyth for a fresh start. Only het gets called to the scene of an attack in the sand dunes before he’s even had a chance to unpack. All three series of Hinterland are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
