Himesh Patel, reprising his role as Dr. John Watson in the newly released "Enola Holmes 3," shared insights into his character's expanded presence and the exploration of his British Indian identity within the franchise. Patel, who first appeared as Watson in a cameo in "Enola Holmes 2," was drawn to the character's potential for differentiation from previous portrayals.
"I was heartened by that when I first spoke to [screenwriter] Jack Thorne about it back in 2021," Patel told Decider in a recent interview. "It’s a real point of difference to any other version of Watson that’s come before."
In "Enola Holmes 3," Watson takes on a more central role as Enola, played by Millie Bobby Brown, works to solve the mystery of her kidnapped brother, Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Henry Cavill. Patel noted that while his character has limited interaction with Holmes in this installment, he plays a crucial part in aiding Enola.
A Defining Scene
A particularly significant aspect for Patel was a scene involving Louis Partridge, who plays Enola's love interest, Tewkesbury. In this sequence, Watson addresses the impact of British rule in India and his father. Patel described it as "a really special moment" and the "heart of what excited me about playing this version of Watson."
He elaborated on the collaborative process of developing the scene, working with screenwriter Jack Thorne and director Philip Barantini. "It was a process of evolution, actually," Patel said. "Jack had written this beautiful monologue, and I just thought that there was opportunity to add even more flavor to it." He expressed gratitude for the openness of Thorne, Barantini, Brown, and the producers to his ideas, which led to edits and tweaks that enhanced the emotional depth. "The way it cross cuts with Enola discovering the written truth of it all," he added, highlighting the scene's integration into the film's narrative.
Patel reflected on the subtle, yet profound, impact of colonialism on personal relationships, stating, "How that can destroy your emotional relationships with those who you love, more than anything. That’s beyond so many of the other destructive forces of a movement such as imperialism and colonialism."
Crafting Watson's Identity
Patel emphasized his desire to highlight Watson's British Indian identity in a meaningful way. "I was very keen to highlight it in the right way," he stated. He was pleased that Thorne's script unfolded these ideas sensitively, acknowledging that this aspect of Watson's background is not often explored in similar contexts. "I’m really excited that we’ve done that, and I really am happy with how it’s turned out, and I admire everyone for going there."
Regarding his preparation for the role, Patel revisited Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories and listened to audiobooks. While he has observed other portrayals of Watson, he focused on remaining truthful to the script. He also addressed the memorable horseback chase scene, admitting to having no prior riding experience and attributing his on-screen proficiency to "movie magic."
Patel expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of future installments, stating, "I would love to go again. I’d love to step into those shoes again." He also mentioned his upcoming role in Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" as Eurylochus, calling the experience a "privilege of a lifetime."