The scripted division of Harry King Television has announced its new drama serial True Sherlock.  Based upon Nicholas Sercombe’s original book series The Unexpurgated Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The first four feature-length TV episodes are in pre-production with shooting scheduled to commence in the UK in January 2026.

Mary Jo Slater has cast Oli Higginson (Bridgerton, The Last Five Years) as Sherlock Holmes, and Will Kemp (El Turco, Spinning Out, Reign) as Moriarty. Casting is in progress for Dr Watson and the production team is in final talks for Mrs Hudson.

Each film is an original Sherlock Holmes story and attracts an array of star guests to play the great detective’s clients.

Nicholas Sercombe is the showrunner. Nigel Wooll (Tár, Arabian Nights, G.I. Jane), Mark Sandell (A Liar’s Autobiography, Absolutely Anything) and Jon Turtle (Bat 21, Nightmare on Elm Street 3,4,5) will produce the series with Sercombe.

True Sherlock Is a faithful revival of the original stories adapted for the screen for the first time in 40 years. It is aimed at a contemporary audience, the stories as written by Conan Doyle engaging fans of 40+ and the youthful exciting cast luring an audience twenty years  younger.  This is classic Sherlock Holmes beloved by fans across the world, each film with a contemporary twist looping to the next with cliffhanger style and humour.

True Sherlock explores the origins of Holmes, Watson, Mrs Hudson and Professor Moriarty, delving into their origins. Who are Sherlock’s parents? How did Mrs Hudson find and lose her husband? How did Moriarty become “the Napoleon of crime?” And where did Watson come from?

In the first of feature, A Balls-Up in Bohemia, Sherlock Holmes embarks upon an adventure of blackmail and romance for an esteemed royal client whilst Watson tries to extricate himself from an embarrassing marriage.

This news reflects Harry King Television’s growing slate of scripted IP for television, following the recent launch of its unscripted division with new format Curiosity earlier this year.

Nicholas Sercombe, CEO of Harry King Television, says “Sherlock fans… get ready! We are excited to reintroduce Conan Doyle’s iconic characters and stories, with a very human touch and modern twist. The stories are ripe for re-discovery and True Sherlock is the perfect opportunity to re-engage audiences.  With plenty of action, humour and romance we are delighted to deliver these new adaptations played by a talented young cast. More news to come soon – this case is wide open!”