HBO Max will become a bit more elementary. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the streamer is developing a new television universe centered around the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Dolittle) will be serving as executive producer. He previously played the character in the 2009 and 2011 Guy Ritchie (The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Gentlemen) films.
Two scripted series are currently in development. Alongside Downey, Jr., Lionel Wigram (Sherlock Holmes), the writer of the Downey-Sherlock films, will also serve as executive producer. A third Sherlock film was in development, but it never moved forward.
THR did report that it was unclear whether or not Downey was going to reprise his role as the two shows are in early development. Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell of Team Downey will also executive produce, with Team Downey having an overall deal with HBO Max.
Additional details, including how the two shows will be connected, are being kept under wraps. The Sherlock Holmes series will be one of many projects coming to HBO Max in the next couple of years.
Written by Sir Authur Conan Doyle, the Sherlock Holmes series is a series of detective stories written in the 1880s. It holds the record for the most portrayed character in film and TV history, with over 75 actors taking on the role over the years, as well as several iterations of the characters and story.
A release was not confirmed for the upcoming series.