Rafe Spall will star in The Death of Sherlock Holmes series.

      A new series featuring Sherlock Holmes is in development, with Rafe Spall (Trying) portraying the legendary detective in The Death of Sherlock Holmes. The storyline will continue in the timeline of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original tales, exploring Sherlock's life during the years he was thought to be dead. First-look images of Spall alongside co-star Deleila Piasko (The Exposure) have been unveiled, alongside an anticipated premiere in 2027.

      The series is created by Claudia Bluemhuber (Fallen), with André Küttel (Platzspitzbaby) and Pierre Monnard (Winter Palace) also involved. The writing will be done by Küttel and Simone Schmid (Die Beschatter), while the project is a collaboration among European companies Sky, Silver Reel, ARD Degeto, Umedia, and Sphere Abacus. Bluemhuber and Monnard will serve as directors.

      The synopsis for The Death of Sherlock Holmes states that it “opens with one of the most iconic moments in literary history: Sherlock Holmes’ supposed demise at the Reichenbach Falls. While the world believes that the master detective met his end in his last confrontation with Professor Moriarty, this series will disclose what transpired during the three enigmatic years between his disappearance in 1891 and his return in 1894—a chapter that Arthur Conan Doyle left unexplored, now brought to light.

      Set against the stunning and unforgiving backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the plot follows an Englishman who is discovered barely alive in a frozen mountain stream by local resident Alma and her young son, Franz. When the village doctor is found dead, suspicions fall on the boy—leaving the amnesiac stranger as the only source of hope. Although he has no memories, moments of keen deduction hint at a hidden history. As unsettling flashes of memory reemerge, he must face a troubling question: who is he, truly? What begins as an isolated Alpine mystery soon unfolds into a vast conspiracy that brings the man closer to uncovering the truth of his past—and the legendary identity he might once have held.”

      “Audiences remain captivated by Sherlock Holmes' adventures. This new adaptation, produced by our collaborators at Silver Reel and exploring Holmes’ entirely uncharted escapades during a crucial and enigmatic period in his life, is sure to captivate viewers worldwide,” commented Jonathan Ford from Sphere Abacus.

      “We're thrilled to be involved in this clever new reimagining that uncovers an untold chapter in the Sherlock Holmes saga—led by Rafe Spall’s return to Sky in the main role,” said Katie Keenan from Sky. “Our collaboration with Sphere Abacus continues later this year with the premiere of the contemporary mystery thriller Yaga, and we are excited that The Death of Sherlock Holmes will be featured alongside the highly anticipated Season 2 of Heated Rivalry on our 2027 roster.”