Is Enola Holmes 2 Based on a True Story or Book? – The 2020 Netflix movie “Enola Holmes” is based on Nancy Springer’s novel “The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery.” Although Enola Holmes was not mentioned in any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings, he was the author of the Sherlock Holmes character. The female detective, played by Nancy Springer, is the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes and operates in the same environment. Enola Holmes was born in the year 1884, and for the first 16 years of her life, she lived with her mother, Eudoria Holmes. Enola was home-schooled by her mother, who taught her a little bit of everything even though she had no formal schooling. Enola grew up to resemble her mother exactly. She was unique compared to the other girls. She wanted to follow in her brother Sherlock Holmes’ footsteps and become a well-known detective one day. Enola had no memories of her father because he died when she was little.
See Also: How Much Did Millie Bobby Brown get Paid for “Enola Holmes 2” Movie?
Is Enola Holmes 2 a Retelling of a True Story?
The 1888 Matchgirls’ Strike at the Bryant & May match factory in Bow, London, served as a loose inspiration for “Enola Holmes 2.” The movie establishes the scenario for Enola’s first case as a qualified private investigator against the backdrop of the strike. Additionally, it incorporates ideas from Nancy Springer’s second Enola Holmes mystery, “The Case of the Left-Handed Lady,” which features similar themes.
Director Harry Bradbeer described how the decision to incorporate this historical moment in the sequel was made because the writers needed to give it “a grittier, more perilous plot.” “By introducing Enola to working girls her own age, we intended to construct a story that exposed her to individuals outside of her upbringing and class. I was quite excited about that. So that’s how the match factory concept originated,” he said.
Must Read: Does Enola Holmes 2’s Millie Bobby Brown Have a Real Accent?
I would have to be crazy at this point if I didn't mention that #EnolaHolmes2, The Movie, will wow the Netflix screen starting Day After Tomorrow — Friday, November 4. I hope you're having a party to watch it? Popcorn, or maybe pizza, and some wine? I'll be doing the same! pic.twitter.com/mhuKEIbANM
— Nancy Springer (@NancySpringer) November 2, 2022
While Enola’s quest to unearth a conspiracy with deeper roots than she could have imagined occupies the majority of the plot, the movie also sheds light on the plight of working women in the Victorian era. A character named Sarah Chapman, who is partially modelled on the real-life woman who helped organise the strike against Bryant & May, goes missing at the start of the narrative. More over a thousand women, including little girls as young as nine, worked at the matchstick factory.
The hours were incredibly long, and the money was appalling. The working conditions were appalling. The workers were subjected to a variety of fines for even the smallest errors, and the prospect of termination was used to quell any complaints. The exposure to the white phosphorous used in the matchmaking process was another major issue for the workers. Numerous illnesses were brought on by being around the chemical all the time, with phossy jaw being the most prevalent and killing a number of workers.
The Link featured social reformer Annie Besant’s article titled “White Slavery in London” on June 23, 1888. One of the workers was fired as a result of the factory owners’ request for the workers to publicly reject Besant’s assertion. One of those responsible for organising the resistance that resulted in 1400 girls and women going on strike on July 5, 1888, was Sarah Chapman. The factory owners, unable to bear the loss, consented to restore the sacked employee; nevertheless, by this time, the strike’s goals had significantly increased. The women now desired much more for themselves.
The policies that would guarantee a better working environment were decided upon on July 17 by the plant owners and the employees. Among other things, unfair fines and salary deductions were eliminated, the proper chain of command in grievance resolution was ensured, and a separate dining area was built for the employees so that their food wouldn’t be exposed to the white phosphorous.
Even though it took a few more years, the strike was a significant step in the right way for the employees as it led to the permanent abolition of white phosphorus. English Heritage installed a blue plaque at the location of the former Bryant & May Match factory on July 5, 2022, to honour the occasion.
The actress who plays Enola Holmes, Millie Bobby Brown, found this to be a motivating and poignant tale that developed “the notion of sisterhood that goes through this film.” She stated, “I find it very motivating to think about these young ladies standing up against the system, who really have no power at all.”
The movie fudges the facts in order to offer a detective story to the audience, but it doesn’t stop it from trying to tell a story with strong women at its center who collaborate to make the world a better place. In light of all of this, it is reasonable to conclude that, despite the fact that the movie’s events are largely fabricated, they are rooted in the truth of a real incident and real emotions.
The Netflix will release Enola Holmes 2 on November 4, 2022.
