Sherlock & Daughter

For me, Sherlock Holmes should notice all the small details, leave nothing to chance, and in the end you get an explanation of how how Holmes' conclusion was made.

Sherlock & Daughter did try to do all these things, but it felt like the writing used for the series was in iteration 2, when it needed to be iterated 10 times to be proper Sherlock Holmes.

It was entertaining, well paced and all that. Impressive how they can nail costumes and environment to the time period. A nick pick would be a lack of a realistic amount of bystanders / crowds, due to what I only can imagine to be budget costs.

Preposterous, hammily acted, the script often clunky as well, but suspend serious critical faculties and what you've got is a compelling entertainment.

David Thewlis of course steals the acting prize as Sherlock, well matched by Dougray Scott's Moriarty. Blu Hunt's wide eyed enthusiasm as his maybe daughter added plenty of fire to the tale and Ivana Milicevic wasn't given enough to do but had an authoritative presence which rooted the scenes at the US Ambassador's residence. Fiona Glascott was too stilted to carry off the Lady Bracknell accent as intended but that aside all the actors did their best to season the ham.

I think most books, movies and some TV shows could be improved with maps. This one uses maps to illustrate old London and even a carriage chase. Well done.

I'm very forgiving with Sherlock stories. I was able to enjoy Sherlock and Elementary at the same time, but I can't stomach the Will Ferrell abomination. I suggest "Smarter Brother" and "Without a Clue" for a humorous Holmes. And I still miss Houdini and Doyle, but I digress.

This Holmes is older but still rude, egocentric and logical. I like that he does not accept the young American as his daughter ('You are not the first to make this claim") but finds her useful to investigate his case. Also we work with the same clues as Holmes. The main problem is extending the mystery across 8 episodes. The middle does bog down a bit. It would be better to have 2 four episode arcs. This is still an entertaining effort that I can recommend to a Holmes fan.

Sherlock & Daughter (Season 1, 2025, 7.3/10) is an attempt to reinterpret the Sherlock Holmes universe through the lens of family drama - an idea that sounds intriguing on paper but ultimately leaves mixed feelings. Introducing a sudden "daughter" into Holmes's life is a risky move, and while the series tries to balance classic elements with new themes, the execution doesn't always withstand the tension between them.

The show's main strength lies in its acting. David Thewlis is perfectly cast as Holmes: his portrayal of the detective is more weathered by time, more human, yet still retains the familiar cold sharpness. Blu Hunt as Amelia brings a refreshing energy: her character is independent, determined, and provides a good contrast to Sherlock's detached nature. Their dynamic is one of the main reasons the series manages to hold the viewer's interest.

Visually, the production is solid: London is depicted with atmosphere - without excessive gloss, tinged with a slight grayness and an attentive eye for period details. In terms of staging, the series looks robust and at times even impressive.

However, the main weakness lies in the script. Storylines often feel simplified: the mysteries are not particularly complex, some plot twists can be guessed long before the reveal, and themes that could have added emotional weight (such as generational conflict, trust, redemption) remain superficial hints rather than fully developed arcs. The pacing is also uneven: there are lively moments, but also noticeable lulls, especially in the middle of the season.

Conclusion: Sherlock & Daughter is a project with a good concept, solid performances, and a pleasant atmosphere, but it lacks depth in storytelling. It's more of an interesting side note in the world of Sherlock rather than a new pinnacle of the genre. As an easy evening watch, it works well enough. But if you're looking for the wit and complexity of the original Holmes, they are noticeably scarcer here.

David Thewliss is a fantastic Sherlock, Surly, moody, cerebral and is generally true to the character we all know and love but without some of his (as yet) more destructive traits and quirks. Blue Hunt promises to be a match for his intelect, albeit more positive personality, the role is hers to mould and this first outing suggests she is doing just that.

The first episode promises good things, it grabs your attention, the costumes and settings are more than appropriate for the time period and the initial plot promises a longer running story with the opportunity to have episodal stories.

While some opinions are very negative, i fail to see why. Simply put there is nothing not likeable about this drama.