Move over, Sherlock — it's Moriarty's turn to steal the show.
Fremantle is developing a series centred entirely on James Moriarty, the arch-nemesis who has spent decades in Sherlock Holmes' shadow.
The project, currently working under the title Moriarty, is being spearheaded by Archery Pictures — the production company behind the Oscar-nominated film Operation Mincemeat. This is a full character reimagining for the modern era.
Writing the series are Chris Cornwell (who penned A Discovery of Witches) and Oliver Lansley (Where's Wanda?). The creative team is pitching this as a contemporary take on the master criminal, exploring what makes literature's greatest villain tick — far beyond his connection to the world's greatest detective.
The Sherlock Holmes franchise has been expanding, and the appetite for fresh angles on classic characters shows no signs of slowing. By shifting focus to Moriarty, the producers are tapping into something audiences have wanted: a deeper look at the psychology and methods of literature's most brilliant antagonist.
Rather than rehashing the cat-and-mouse games fans already know, this series promises to explore Moriarty as a protagonist in his own right — with his own empire, motivations, and moral complexities.
No casting announcements or broadcast details have been locked in yet, but given the calibre of the production team and the built-in fanbase, expect this one to move quickly through development.
