Elementary, my dear HBO Max.
Sherlock Holmes could be coming to TV as the WarnerMedia-backed streamer is in early development of not one, but two scripted series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular detective stories.
Robert Downey Jr., who played the famous detective in the 2009 Guy Ritchie feature film and its 2011 sequel, is on board to produce both shows via his team Downey banner. Lionel Wigram, who received story credit for the first film and produced both, is also on board as executive producer. A third film in the franchise was in development but never got past this stage.
It’s unclear if Downey will reprise his role as Sherlock as both projects are still in the early stages of development. Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell of Team Downey will be producing alongside the actor and Wigram. Further details, including the premise and how the two potential series could be connected, are being kept under wraps. Both projects are from Warner Bros. Television, whose feature film counterpart produced the Sherlock feature films. Team Downey remains under an overall deal with HBO and produces the premium cable network’s Perry Mason update.
HBO Max and Warners representatives declined to comment.
News of a possible Sherlock Holmes-scripted TV universe should come as no surprise given the current state of the streaming wars. Amid the competition for subscription dollars and eyeballs, media companies across the landscape are turning to well-known intellectual property to build franchises that come with built-in audiences to bring a sense of urgency to viewers and die-hard fans.
HBO Max is already building a new cohesive universe of DC Comics series from Executive Producer JJ Abrams; James Gunn has his Suicide Squad spinoff Peacemaker; Matt Reeves is launching a Batman spin-off centered on Colin Farrell’s Penguin; and the Casey Bloys-led streamer is also developing several Game of Thrones series. Revivals of other well-known franchises such as Sex and the City and Gossip Girl have also been used to bolster the platform.
Downey, of course, helped Marvel build its cinematic universe, which has helped boost Disney+ with a slew of TV spinoffs in recent years.
Sherlock Holmes holds the world record for the most-performed literary character in film and television history, with more than 75 actors stepping into the role. Most recently, Jonny Lee Miller took on the role on CBS’ Elementary.
For its part, Team Downey continues to grow its TV presence by producing series including HBO’s Perry Mason, Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, HBO Max’s For Your Own Good and an untitled drama at Apple, among others.
Team Downey is represented by WME and Hansen Jacobson.