Rafe Spall to Play a Role in New European TV Series, ‘The Death of Sherlock Holmes’
Rafe Spall to Star in New Sherlock Holmes Series
Rafe Spall is set to lead in The Death of Sherlock Holmes, a European drama series that explores an untold chapter in the life of the iconic detective. The series is produced by Sky’s Switzerland branch, Silver Reel, alongside SFR, ARD Degeto, Umedia, and Sphere Abacus.
Scheduled to premiere in 2027, The Death of Sherlock Holmes features Spall, known for his roles in Under Salt Marsh and Trying, alongside Deleila Piasko, recognized for her performances in The Exposure and Transatlantic.
The co-production is spearheaded by Silver Reel, with CEO Claudia Bluemhuber, who has previously worked on the International Emmy-winning Fallen, collaborating with André Küttel (Platzspitzbaby) and Pierre Monnard (Winter Palace) on the series’ creation. Küttel, along with Simone Schmid (Die Beschatter), is responsible for the writing, drawing inspiration from the legendary characters of Arthur Conan Doyle. Production is currently underway under the direction of Bluemhuber and Monnard.
According to the synopsis, the narrative kicks off at the famous Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes is believed to have met his demise during a confrontation with Professor Moriarty. The series aims to unveil what transpired during the three enigmatic years between Holmes’ disappearance in 1891 and his reappearance in 1894, a narrative that Conan Doyle never explored.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the plot follows an Englishman who is discovered, barely alive, in an icy mountain stream by a local woman named Alma and her son, Franz. When the village doctor is discovered murdered, suspicion falls on the young boy, leaving the amnesiac man as the only one who can help him. Though his memories are clouded, fleeting moments of sharp deduction hint at a concealed past.
As haunting memories begin to resurface, the protagonist faces a troubling realization about his true identity. What begins as a secluded Alpine mystery soon expands into a broader conspiracy, ultimately leading him closer to the truth of his history and the legendary name he may have once carried.
The series is co-produced by Silver Reel, Sky Switzerland, SRF, ARD Degeto, and Umedia, with Sphere Abacus managing international distribution. Sky will broadcast the series exclusively in the UK and Ireland, and it will be available for streaming on the pay-TV platform in Switzerland and Germany. SRF holds the broadcasting rights in Switzerland, while ARD Degeto will manage distribution in Germany.
Additionally, the project is backed by FFF Bayern and the IDM Film Commission. Showrunners Bluemhuber and Monnard are supported by co-executive producers Florian Dargel, Alexander Jooss, Fabian Stein, Baptiste Planche, Bettina Alber, Jonathan Ford, and Will Stapley, with Alen Bulic overseeing the project for Silver Reel.
