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.

One of the endless iterations of Sherlock Holmes, this one comes with a young woman who may be his daughter. The story begins with Holmes mid-drama, trying to save persons at risk while feeling that greater risk may come from his efforts. Meanwhile, a young woman makes her way from New York City to London, hoping to meet Holmes, whom she regards as a personal hero.

The atmosphere of London, 1896, is convincing, so the viewer can relax into the story, which wastes no time developing. Holmes (David Thewlis) and the young woman, Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), begin the series as fully-developed characters. Their back stories and personality traits are quickly established. Holmes is self-important and surly, though considerations might be made due to his current situation. Amelia is bright, cordial, and eager to learn. When she makes her way to 221B Baker Street, her hopes are briefly dashed, but she finds a place in Holmes' situation.

Before long, the two are working together to solve a case, but not as equals. And the disparate duo competes with Scotland Yard and the Pinkertons.

The production is filled with graphics, which some viewers may like; others may find them distracting.

But the first two episodes are enjoyable, and there is potential for much more enjoyment if the script allows the main characters to grow into a relationship of depth and warmth, if only grudgingly.

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.

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.

As a big Sherlock Holmes fan, I've always loved how smart he is and how he keeps his distance. To me, the original stories are great because he's all about logic, not feelings or family. So, when this new series introduces a daughter, it feels a bit off. It just doesn't seem like the Sherlock I know, the one who cares most about solving a good mystery.

It feels wrong because the original Holmes was so focused on his work, with no wife or kids. Adding a daughter brings in a lot of emotion, which I think changes what makes him unique. It might make him seem more like any other detective with family problems, instead of the special character he is. For me, the old stories are important, and big changes to the main character can be tough to accept.

But, I also see why the series creators did it. Giving Holmes a daughter adds something new. The idea of a "lonely genius" can feel old-fashioned now. A daughter pushes him to deal with feelings and relationships, which makes him seem more human. This can open up new kinds of stories, not just about solving crimes, but about family and what kind of parent Holmes would be. It helps keep the character fresh and interesting for today's audiences.

So, while my first thought is often "that's not the real Sherlock," I understand that a daughter can enliven and modernize him, making him more relatable and giving creators new ways to tell his story. It's a different take, but it does bring him to life for a new generation.