Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most popular IPs in today’s media sphere, but one character in the franchise has yet to get their own show. There have been many extensions to the traditional chronicles, including the Enola Holmes franchise and the CBS series, Watson, which continue to generate positive results. After the sustained success of these recent entries, it seems to be only a matter of time before one beloved character gets a spinoff. Sherlock Holmes entering the public domain has made it far easier for these adaptations to be made.
There is no shortage of Sherlock Holmes projects in development, with each one becoming more innovative than the last. While Watson distinguishes itself from previous installments by making the detective absent from the project to develop Holmes’ companion, Elona Holmes introduces the consulting detective’s sister and concentrates its efforts on her. Even more decisive is the upcoming series, Sherlock & Daughter, which will be perhaps the biggest diversion from Conan Doyle’s canon to date. One thing these adaptations do have in common, though, is the formidable enemy and criminal mastermind, Professor James Moriarty — who still doesn’t have a spinoff series or movie.
So, When Are We Getting A Sherlock Movie Or TV Show About Moriarty?
There Are No Plans For A Moriarty-Centered Movie Or TV Show
Professor James Moriarty is the greatest villain that Sherlock Holmes has ever encountered, matching him in both intelligence and arrogance. Moriarty has been depicted many times across different iterations, with the most popular being Andrew Scott in the BBC series, Sherlock. The criminal mastermind has gradually become a fan-favorite despite lacking any kind of remorse and his truly chilling nature. However, it is Moriarty’s complexities that make him a compelling subject for a standalone project. His popularity, combined with the ongoing interest in the Sherlock Holmes universe, suggests a movie or series about Moriarty could be an incredibly successful venture.
There has been little information about an enterprise on the “consulting criminal.” Perhaps the best route would be a limited series or short film that explores Moriarty’s origins. This, or a potentially self-contained story about a criminal enterprise, could certainly be interesting foundations for a solo endeavor. Although there has been no indication of a spinoff in recent years, audiences can remain hopeful for a Sherlock movie or TV show about Moriarty as the scope of possibilities within the property continues to grow. With so many new characters introduced, a return to classic characters seems like a natural next step.
The Problem(s) With Making A Moriarty Solo Spinoff
A Solo Spinoff About Moriarty Could Come At Great Costs
Even though a spinoff series or movie about Moriarty could be entertaining, the prospect raises several concerns. Mostly, there is far less source material to draw from for Moriarty in a standalone narrative. Not that this is a deciding factor, but it would certainly weigh heavily on a potential project. In fact, part of why Moriarty is such an interesting character is because there is little information available about him or his motivations. He is a character left mostly open to audience interpretation. A solo spinoff risks removing these elements of mystery and making him unrecognizable.
Among other things, a standalone project would have to humanize Moriarty in some respects, whether it be in small incremental changes or more direct ways, which far oppose the essence of his character.
As well as this, Moriarty’s idenтιтy has become synonymous with Sherlock Holmes himself. The criminal’s primary function is to serve as the antagonist to Holmes — separating him from this could potentially diminish the perception of Moriarty from the viewpoint of audiences. Considering how highly regarded the character has come to be, a poorly executed portrayal of Moriarty could tarnish his characterization, alongside his relationship with the detective. Among other things, a standalone project would have to humanize Moriarty in some respects, whether it be in small incremental changes or more direct ways, which far oppose the essence of his character.
There Has Already Been A Show All About Moriarty
Moriarty the Patriot Is On An Extended Hiatus
Interestingly, there has already been a show about Moriarty in the Japanese anime series, Moriarty the Patriot. The series has 23 episodes and reimagines the origins of James Moriarty. It is considered one of the best manga characters inspired by Sherlock Holmes, as it delves into the reason why Moriarty got into a life of crime. It is an incredibly interesting dynamic that blends elements of mystery and intrigue in a crime drama and shows Moriarty taking down the established social order. That being said, some viewers criticized the show for attempting to suggest that the criminal has noble intentions.
In this series, Holmes and Moriarty are friends. Unbeknownst to Holmes, Moriarty is concealing his idenтιтy as a criminal mastermind. They have the same aims in Moriarty the Patriot, though the detective refuses to harm others to achieve his goal. The series is incredibly underrated, with little hype around the series even during its release. It was reported that the series would receive a second season, but there have been no advancements following the announcement. What is certain is that Moriarty the Patriot stands out in the saturated market of Conan Doyle adaptations for providing an account of Moriarty alone.
