Sherlock Holmes is having a moment—again. From the medical-procedural twist of CBS's Watson to the recent Young Sherlock on Prime Video and Netflix's Enola Holmes films, the world can't seem to get enough of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective. Now, a new project is set to push the character into bold, uncharted territory: an adults-only animated series.
Harry King Television is teaming up with Shrek producer David Lipman to bring Jonathan Sercombe's book The Unexpurgated Adventures of Sherlock Holmes to the small screen. The series, currently titled Animated Sherlock, will feature writers Tim John (A Street Cat Named Bob) and Michael Ryan (Planet 51, Paws of Fury) crafting a mix of season-long arcs and standalone episodes drawn from Doyle's original stories published between 1887 and 1927.
But here's the twist: this isn't your grandfather's Sherlock. The animation route isn't just a stylistic choice—it's a deliberate move to explore the detective's world in a more mature, risqué way. "Taking the animation route allows us to reimagine Sherlock Holmes on a grander, more imaginative and risqué scale than before," Sercombe told Variety.
With Lipman's animation pedigree from the Shrek franchise, the series promises to be a boundary-pushing entry into the Holmes canon. The animated format frees the creators from the constraints of live-action sets and aging actors, giving them room to delve deeper into supporting characters like Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and the nefarious Professor Moriarty.
"Together we are creating our very own Sherlock Holmes universe that feels both timeless and completely fresh—rich in character, humor, and adventure," Sercombe added. The series aims to be the most daring reinvention of the Great Detective yet, blending humor, adventure, and a decidedly adult sensibility.
This isn't the only Holmes project on the horizon. Young Sherlock is already streaming on Prime Video, and fans are still waiting for a third Guy Ritchie film starring Robert Downey Jr. But Animated Sherlock looks set to offer something entirely different—a version of Holmes that's unapologetically for grown-ups.
As the detective's legacy continues to evolve, this new series could redefine what a Sherlock Holmes adaptation can be. Stay tuned for more updates on Animated Sherlock as it develops.
