Enola Holmes, the heroine of the 2020 Netflix movie Enola Holmes, is the much younger sister of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. However, some fans have speculated about whether Enola could actually be Sherlock’s daughter instead of his sister. Let’s examine the evidence both for and against this theory.
The Case for Enola Being Sherlock’s Daughter
There are a few reasons why some viewers speculate that Enola could secretly be Sherlock’s daughter:
- The significant age gap between Enola and her brothers. In most Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is about 20 years older than Enola is portrayed in the movie.
- Enola’s fiercely independent personality contrasts with the traditional Victorian woman. Some think she takes after Sherlock more than Mycroft or their mother.
- Sherlock shows an unusual amount of concern and affection for Enola, even helping her escape boarding school.
- Enola has natural detective talents, much like her brother Sherlock.
With these facts, it’s plausible to imagine a storyline where Sherlock had a secret daughter that he leaves in his parents’ care to raise. The timing could work for Enola to be conceived in Sherlock’s early 20s and be about 16 years old during the film’s events.
The Case Against Enola Being Sherlock’s Daughter
However, there are also several compelling reasons why Enola is unlikely to actually be Sherlock Holmes’ daughter:
- The film gives no indication of an alternate parentage for Enola. She is repeatedly referred to as the daughter of Eudoria Holmes.
- Enola calls both Sherlock and Mycroft her brothers multiple times in natural conversation.
- Sherlock shows care for both his siblings, not just Enola. He gets involved in Mycroft’s casework and political dealings as well.
- As a gentleman, Sherlock would be very unlikely to have a child out of wedlock in Victorian England.
- The Holmes parents are still alive during the movie, so there’s no obvious opportunity for them to adopt Sherlock’s child.
- Sherlock is unfamiliar with many details of Enola’s upbringing when he first meets her, implying he was not involved in raising her.
Given the preponderance of evidence, it seems quite clear within the world of the film that Enola is meant to be Sherlock’s biological sister, not his daughter.
The Actors’ Ages Versus the Characters’ Ages
One of the primary reasons for the theory of Enola being Sherlock’s daughter is the age gap between the actors playing the siblings:
- Henry Cavill was 37 when he played Sherlock Holmes.
- Millie Bobby Brown was 16 when she played Enola Holmes.
That 21 year gap is quite large and fuels speculation that Enola is secretly Sherlock’s daughter. However, we have to remember that the actors’ real ages don’t always match the characters’ ages within a story. Sources indicate the characters’ intended ages are:
- Sherlock Holmes – approximately 27 years old during the events of the Enola Holmes film.
- Enola Holmes – approximately 16 years old.
This would put Sherlock’s birth year around 1867 and Enola’s around 1884, making them about 11 years apart in age. While still a significant gap, 11 years is much more reasonable for siblings than the 21+ year difference between the actors themselves.
Alternate Origin Story Fan Theories
While Enola being Sherlock’s daughter seems conclusively dismissed within the world of the Netflix film, fans online have come up with other alternate origin theories for Enola. Here are some popular ones:
Illegitimate Child of Mycroft Holmes
Some fans think Mycroft could be Enola’s real father, with Sherlock agreeing to raise Enola as his sister to avoid scandal. This explains their age difference and Enola’s detective skills coming from the Holmes bloodline.
Distant Cousin Raised as a Sister
Other theories suggest Enola could be a more distant cousin or other relative that the Holmes parents took in. Calling her a sister would avoid questions about her true parentage.
Adopted by the Holmeses
Finally, some think Enola was adopted/fostered by the Holmeses as a baby. This allows for her unconventional upbringing compared to Sherlock and Mycroft.
While intriguing, these fan theories currently have little evidence within the films. But they do illustrate how creatively fans have imagined backstories to explain the mysteries around Enola’s origins.
Conclusion
Based on all the available information from the Netflix Enola Holmes film, it seems clear she is intended to be the biological sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. The significant gap between the actors’ real ages fuels theories that she could be Sherlock’s daughter, but the characters’ intended ages fit better as siblings.
Some fans have imagined alternate origin stories for Enola, like her being an illegitimate child of Mycroft’s or an adopted cousin. But within the world of the film, there is simply no evidence to support these fan theories. Enola repeatedly calls Sherlock her brother, and the Holmes parents treat her as their daughter.
So while the idea of Enola secretly being Sherlock Holmes’ daughter is an intriguing theory, it remains conclusively disproven by the information provided in the Netflix movie. Their sibling bond remains secure, even if fans continue imagining alternative backstories to explain the talented Miss Holmes.