Ever tried starting a business in Victorian London as a teenage girl? It’s a mess. Honestly, that’s exactly where we find our favorite Fourth-Wall-breaking detective in the sequel. When the first movie dropped on Netflix, everyone was obsessed with the chemistry between the siblings. Now, looking back at the Enola Holmes 2 cast, it’s clear the production didn't just play it safe. They brought back the heavy hitters and added some serious dramatic weight to the mix.
Millie Bobby Brown isn’t just the lead here. She’s a powerhouse. Reports suggest she pulled in a cool $10 million for this sequel, which, let's be real, is wild for an actor under twenty. But she earns it. Watching her navigate the gritty matchstick factory subplots while dodging Henry Cavill’s towering Sherlock is the core of the film’s charm.
The Returning Heavyweights of the Enola Holmes 2 Cast
Most sequels lose a bit of the magic by swapping out the original crew. Not this one. Henry Cavill is back, and thankfully, he has way more to do this time around. In the first film, he was basically just a handsome shadow in the background. In the second, we actually see him struggle. Seeing a "Drunk Sherlock" stumble out of a pub and run into his sister is probably one of the most humanizing moments for the character in any adaptation.
Then there’s the matriarch. Helena Bonham Carter returns as Eudoria Holmes. She’s the eccentric, bomb-making mother we all kind of wish we had (minus the abandonment issues). Her role is smaller, but every second she’s on screen feels vital. She represents the "old guard" of the feminist movement in the film, giving Enola the push she needs when the case gets too dark.
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- Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes (The girl who refuses to be a "lady")
- Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes (The brother who finally learns to share)
- Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes (The chaotic mother figure)
- Louis Partridge as Viscount Tewkesbury (The boy who grew up and entered politics)
You’ve gotta love Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury. He’s no longer just the "boy in the flower box." He’s a member of the House of Lords now. Their romance is subtle—sorta sweet and awkward—which fits the period perfectly. It doesn't distract from the mystery, which is a mistake many YA movies make.
New Faces and That Massive Moriarty Twist
The additions to the Enola Holmes 2 cast are what really shifted the tone from "fun adventure" to "high-stakes conspiracy." David Thewlis, who most people remember as the kind-hearted Remus Lupin from Harry Potter, plays a completely different beast here. As Superintendent Grail, he is genuinely terrifying. He’s the kind of corrupt lawman who makes your skin crawl every time he’s on screen.
But the biggest talking point? That has to be Sharon Duncan-Brewster.
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She starts the movie as Mira Troy, the seemingly quiet secretary to Lord McIntyre. By the end, we find out she’s actually the one pulling all the strings. Yes, the movie flipped the script on the most famous literary villain of all time. Making Moriarty a Black woman in Victorian London wasn’t just a "diversity move"—it made narrative sense. Who else would be more invisible and yet more capable of outsmarting the smartest men in the room?
The Mystery of Dr. Watson and the Matchgirls
One of the coolest things about this cast is how they blended fictional icons with real-life history. Hannah Dodd plays Sarah Chapman. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Sarah Chapman was a real person. She was a leader in the 1888 Matchgirls' Strike. The movie takes Enola's fictional world and crashes it right into the real-life struggle of factory workers dying from phosphorus poisoning. It gives the whole "detective" thing a lot more weight.
And we can't ignore the mid-credits scene.
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If you turned the movie off when the names started scrolling, you missed the introduction of Himesh Patel. He shows up at 221B Baker Street as a certain John Watson. It’s a brief cameo, but it sets the stage for what’s coming next. It feels like a promise that the world is expanding, and Sherlock won't be quite so lonely in the third installment.
The Breakdown of Roles
| Actor | Character | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Susie Wokoma | Edith | She’s the muscle and the brains behind the secret martial arts gym. |
| Adeel Akhtar | Inspector Lestrade | The classic foil who is always two steps behind the Holmes siblings. |
| Abbie Hern | Mae | A factory girl who shows the darker side of East End life. |
| Himesh Patel | Dr. John Watson | The legendary partner who finally arrives to keep Sherlock sane. |
The chemistry between these actors is why the movie works. It doesn't feel like a bunch of stars collecting a paycheck. It feels like a lived-in world. Even the minor roles, like Serrana Su-Ling Bliss as Bessie Chapman, add a layer of vulnerability to the story that keeps you grounded.
What This Cast Means for the Future
With Enola Holmes 3 already confirmed and filming having taken place through 2025, the foundation built by this specific group is huge. We know the core trio (Millie, Henry, and Louis) are the heart of the franchise. However, the introduction of Patel’s Watson and Duncan-Brewster’s Moriarty changes the game. We aren't just looking at a "teen girl" movie anymore; we're looking at a full-blown Sherlockian universe.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the Enola Holmes 2 cast, keep an eye on the upcoming projects for Hannah Dodd and Sharon Duncan-Brewster. They were the breakout stars of this sequel, proving that you don't need a famous last name like "Holmes" to steal the show.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the mid-credits scene again to see the first interaction between Cavill and Patel.
- Research the real Sarah Chapman and the 1888 Matchgirls' Strike to see how much the movie stayed true to history.
- Check out David Thewlis in The Sandman if you want to see more of his villainous range.