The CW’s Sherlock & Daughter reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective for a new generation, blending classic mystery with contemporary family drama. When Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), a sharp-witted young investigator with a troubled past, discovers she’s the illegitimate daughter of the brilliant but emotionally distant Sherlock Holmes (David Thewlis), their reluctant partnership sparks a thrilling series of cases across modern-day London. With a diverse ensemble cast, razor-sharp dialogue, and mysteries that pay homage to Doyle’s original stories while forging new ground, this series offers a fresh perspective on the Holmes legacy. Expect high-stakes investigations, complex father-daughter dynamics, and a modern twist on Victorian-era sleuthing—complete with cutting-edge forensic tech and social media-savvy detective work.
Set against the backdrop of a neon-lit London, the show explores themes of identity, legacy, and nature versus nurture through its central duo. Sherlock, now in his late 50s, grapples with his fading relevance in a digital age and the shocking revelation of fatherhood, while Amelia struggles to reconcile her street-smart instincts with her newfound genetic predisposition for detective work. Supporting characters—including a skeptical Scotland Yard inspector, a tech genius sidekick, and mysterious figures from Sherlock’s past—round out this fresh yet familiar take on the Holmes universe. With its mix of procedural elements and serialized storytelling, Sherlock & Daughter aims to attract both longtime Holmes enthusiasts and new fans alike.
Cast of Sherlock & Daughter
1. David Thewlis as Sherlock Holmes
David Thewlis brings a world-weary gravitas to his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, presenting the detective in his later years—still brilliant but increasingly aware of his own mortality. Unlike previous iterations, this Holmes battles the physical and mental toll of aging, using a cane for a leg injury sustained during a botched case years earlier. Thewlis’s performance emphasizes Sherlock’s emotional isolation and dry wit, particularly in scenes where he’s forced to confront his paternal failings. The actor studied neurological conditions to portray Holmes’s eidetic memory realistically, even incorporating subtle tremors to suggest the early stages of a neurodegenerative disease.
Thewlis’s Holmes maintains the character’s iconic deductive prowess but demonstrates new vulnerability when interacting with Amelia. Their dynamic evolves from mutual distrust to reluctant respect, with Thewlis expertly conveying Sherlock’s internal conflict—his analytical mind wants to solve the “problem” of fatherhood, while his repressed emotions complicate matters. Watch for his haunting monologue in Episode 5, where he recounts the unsolved case that may hold clues to Amelia’s origins, delivered with Thewlis’s signature blend of precision and pathos.
2. Blu Hunt as Amelia Rojas
Blu Hunt delivers a breakout performance as Amelia Rojas, a 23-year-old auto-didact who honed her investigative skills surviving London’s foster care system. Hunt’s portrayal captures Amelia’s defensive sarcasm and deep-seated abandonment issues, which clash spectacularly with Sherlock’s clinical detachment. The actress trained with real private investigators to master surveillance techniques and learned basic forensic science, lending authenticity to Amelia’s intuitive, unconventional methods. Her physicality—combining street fighter reflexes with observant stillness—visibly contrasts with Sherlock’s more measured movements.
Amelia’s mixed-race heritage (Navajo and Mexican in the series) informs her outsider perspective, allowing Hunt to explore themes of cultural displacement through the character. The actress worked with writers to incorporate subtle details, like Amelia’s habit of reading people’s micro-expressions—a survival skill from unstable foster homes that parallels Sherlock’s deduction methods. Her emotional breakthrough in Episode 7, where she accesses Sherlock’s mind palace technique during a crisis, showcases Hunt’s remarkable range as she bridges the character’s raw emotion with newfound intellectual discipline.
3. Paul Reid as Inspector Bullivant
Paul Reid’s Inspector Bullivant represents the modern face of Scotland Yard—a by-the-book detective who respects Holmes’s legacy but resents his interference. Reid brings physical presence and quiet intensity to the role, with Bullivant’s military background (conveyed through precise posture and tactical decision-making) setting him apart from traditional Lestrade-like figures. The actor shadowed real homicide detectives to perfect Bullivant’s procedural approach, which often clashes with Amelia’s rule-breaking instincts.
Bullivant’s complicated history with Sherlock—hinted at through veiled references to a past case gone wrong—adds layers to Reid’s performance. His guarded mentorship of Amelia suggests paternal instincts he’d never admit to, creating a compelling triangle with Sherlock. Reid shines in Episode 4’s interrogation scene, where Bullivant’s strict adherence to protocol nearly costs a life, forcing him to reconsider his methods.
4. Antonio Aakeel as Swann
Antonio Aakeel’s Swann serves as the series’ tech wizard and Amelia’s loyal confidant, operating out of a hacker collective in Shoreditch. Aakeel infuses the character with playful charm and genuine warmth, offering comic relief through Swann’s pop-culture references and flirtatious banter. The actor consulted with cybersecurity experts to authentically portray Swann’s hacking scenes, which involve real (but legal) penetration testing techniques shown in detail.
Swann’s unrequited feelings for Amelia add poignant undertones to Aakeel’s performance, particularly when he suppresses his jealousy to help her bond with Sherlock. His backstory—a former child prodigy who dropped out of Cambridge—parallels Sherlock’s youth, creating subtle tension in their rare interactions. Don’t miss Swann’s heroic moment in Episode 6, where he bypasses a biometric lock using nothing but a smartphone and dental floss.
5. Gia Hunter as Clara Anderson
Gia Hunter portrays Clara Anderson, an investigative journalist with possible connections to Amelia’s mysterious past. Hunter brings an intriguing ambiguity to the role, keeping viewers guessing whether Clara is a potential ally or hiding dangerous secrets. The actress studied the mannerisms of real investigative reporters to perfect Clara’s relentless curiosity and knack for being in the right place at the right time – often to Amelia’s frustration.
Clara’s professional rivalry with Sherlock adds spark to Hunter’s scenes with Thewlis, particularly when her modern media-savvy approach clashes with his traditional methods. Episode 8 features a gripping confrontation where Clara’s knowledge of a cold case suggests she may know more about Amelia’s mother than she’s revealed, showcasing Hunter’s ability to balance charm with underlying menace.
6. Orén Kinlan as Shaw McPherson
Orén Kinlan smolders as Shaw McPherson, a charming con artist with ties to London’s criminal underworld who becomes an unpredictable wildcard in Amelia’s life. Kinlan brings a roguish physicality to the role, moving with the grace of a seasoned grifter who’s always three steps ahead. The actor studied real-life confidence artists to perfect Shaw’s manipulative techniques, from subtle mirroring behaviors to calculated vulnerability. His chemistry with Hunt crackles in their cat-and-mouse scenes, where Amelia’s distrust wars with undeniable attraction.
Shaw’s mysterious connection to one of Sherlock’s old cases adds layers to Kinlan’s performance, particularly when his character’s moral ambiguity is tested. The Episode 9 heist sequence showcases Kinlan’s range as Shaw executes an elaborate art theft while simultaneously helping Amelia solve a murder – leaving viewers questioning his true motives. His final scene of the season, involving a shocking betrayal and an even more shocking redemption, demonstrates why this character becomes an instant fan favorite.
7. Ivana Milicevic as Marjorie Anderson
Ivana Milicevic delivers a mesmerizing performance as Marjorie Anderson, a sophisticated art dealer whose past entanglement with Sherlock may hold the key to Amelia’s origins. Milicevic embodies Marjorie with elegant menace, her every gesture and carefully modulated tone suggesting hidden depths. The Croatian-American actress drew inspiration from real gallery owners to craft Marjorie’s polished exterior, while hinting at the steel beneath through barely perceptible facial tics.
Marjorie’s tense reunion with Sherlock in Episode 5 features Milicevic’s finest work, as she delivers a monologue about their shared history that’s simultaneously heartbreaking and terrifying. The character’s maternal instincts toward Amelia create fascinating tension, especially when her advice contradicts Sherlock’s methods. Milicevic and Hunt share a particularly powerful scene in the season finale where Marjorie teaches Amelia how to spot art forgeries – a lesson that becomes metaphor for recognizing life’s deceptions.
8. Shashi Rami as Bertram Birtwistle
Shashi Rami brings delightful comic relief as Bertram Birtwistle, Sherlock’s long-suffering landlord at 221B Baker Street. Rami’s Bertram serves as the audience surrogate, reacting to the detective’s eccentricities with a perfect blend of exasperation and reluctant admiration. The actor developed Bertram’s distinctive mannerisms – including a nervous habit of polishing his spectacles – to create an instantly memorable supporting character.
Beneath the humor, Rami reveals surprising depth in Episode 7 when Bertram’s encyclopedic knowledge of Sherlock’s cases proves crucial to solving a murder. His unexpected friendship with Amelia provides some of the series’ warmest moments, particularly when he secretly helps bridge the gap between father and daughter. The scene where Bertram finally stands up to Sherlock’s bullying, delivering a speech about ordinary people’s value, showcases Rami’s ability to pivot from comic to poignant in seconds.
9. Savonna Spracklin as Lucia Rojas
Savonna Spracklin appears in haunting flashbacks as Lucia Rojas, Amelia’s late foster mother whose murder sets the entire series in motion. Spracklin infuses Lucia with fierce warmth and world-weary wisdom, creating a fully realized character in limited screen time. The actress researched foster care systems to authentically portray Lucia’s mix of tough love and unconditional support.
Lucia’s final scene – teaching young Amelia how to pick locks as a survival skill – becomes profoundly moving in retrospect, with Spracklin’s performance suggesting she knew her time was limited. These flashbacks gain deeper meaning as the season progresses, culminating in Episode 10 when Amelia discovers Lucia’s investigation notes and realizes her foster mother may have been killed because she was getting too close to the truth about Amelia’s parentage.
10. Kojo Kamara as Clarence Halfpenny
Kojo Kamara steals every scene as Clarence Halfpenny, the brilliant but eccentric forensic pathologist who assists on cases. Kamara brings unexpected humor to the morgue, delivering macabre one-liners with perfect deadpan timing while handling corpses. The actor shadowed real medical examiners to learn authentic autopsy procedures, though the show takes creative license with some of Clarence’s more unconventional methods.
Clarence’s growing friendship with Amelia leads to one of the season’s most unexpectedly touching subplots, as the socially awkward coroner helps her process grief through their shared dark humor. Kamara shines in Episode 8’s musical sequence – yes, musical – where Clarence performs an original rap about decomposition rates while working a case, showcasing the actor’s real-life musical talents while advancing the plot.
11. Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet Somerset
Fiona Glascott dazzles as Lady Violet Somerset, a aristocratic widow with a razor-sharp intellect and complicated history with Sherlock. Glascott plays Violet with regal poise that barely conceals a mischievous streak, her every arched eyebrow or carefully chosen word loaded with subtext. The Irish actress studied Edwardian etiquette to inform Violet’s anachronistic manners in modern London.
The chess match scene between Violet and Sherlock in Episode 6 becomes a masterclass in subtextual acting, with Glascott matching Thewlis move for move both physically and emotionally. Violet’s surprising connection to Amelia – revealed late in the season – adds fascinating layers to Glascott’s performance, particularly when her maternal instincts unexpectedly surface during a crisis.
