Henry Cavill: Playing Sherlock Holmes was “more freeing” than playing Geralt or Superman
Surprisingly, Henry Cavill found it easier to play Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes than Geralt of Rivia or Superman. Here’s why.
Henry Cavill seems set on infiltrating every major franchise. He’s played Superman, he’s played Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, and he recently took on the role of Sherlock Holmes in Netflix’s Enola Holmes.
If you asked Cavill to compare his portrayals of all these characters, he might say that Arthur Conan Doyle’s sleuth was actually the easiest to bring to the screen. Speaking with Collider, the actor admitted that portraying Sherlock felt “more freeing” than the other two iconic characters he’s played. Why? Because he formed more of an attachment to Geralt and Superman growing up.
“It’s funny, I try not to focus on the pressure aspect I make it more of a personal mission for myself rather than a pressure aspect,” Cavill explained. “Whether that be Superman, whether that be The Witcher, whether that be Sherlock Holmes, I’m not feeling the external pressure. It’s more about me — certainly with Superman and The Witcher — those are characters I grew up with and I love and I really, really want to represent in the most source-accurate way possible. That for me was a massive thing and still is a massive thing.”
Bringing your childhood heroes to life has to be a little anxiety-inducing. When you know and respect the fandom you’re becoming a part of, you’re going to feel some pressure to deliver — even if, like Cavill, you do your best not to dwell on it. There are also your own inner expectations, which is something Cavill didn’t have to deal with when filming Enola Holmes.
“When it comes to Sherlock Holmes, I wasn’t reading the books of Sherlock Holmes necessarily,” Cavill said. “So I managed to absolve myself of this duty which I put on myself which is being a law loyalist; it’s always about the details.”
Who knew being less loyal to a series or character could actually pay off?
Still, pressure or no, Cavill has more time and dedication to give to his Witcher character — and possibly to the DCEU’s Superman if the rumors are true. And he could well reprise his role as Sherlock if Netflix goes forward with Enola Holmes sequels. (There are five more books to adapt, so really, why wouldn’t it?)
The future looks bright for the actor, and for his fans. We’ll be counting the days until The Witcher‘s second season.
dark. Next. Enola Holmes is a charming YA detective story for all ages
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