Mycroft Holmes is one of the first major obstacles Enola faces in Enola Holmes. As her eldest brother and legal guardian, he frequently clashes with her independent spirit, making him a memorable part of the franchise's opening chapter. However, viewers who continued watching the sequels may have noticed that the character quietly disappeared from the story.

His absence has led many fans to wonder whether something significant happened to him between films. Here's a closer look at Mycroft's journey in the series and the real reason he no longer plays a central role in Enola's adventures.

The first Enola Holmes film establishes Mycroft, played by Sam Claflin, the eldest Holmes sibling steps in as Enola's legal guardian after their mother, Eudoria, disappears. A rigid government official, he believes Enola belongs in Miss Harrison's finishing school to become a "proper lady," placing him in direct conflict with her fiercely independent nature.

After Enola solves the mystery surrounding Lord Tewkesbury and repeatedly outsmarts her brothers, Sherlock recognizes her abilities and offers to become her guardian. Mycroft readily accepts the arrangement, effectively ending his responsibility for Enola and allowing the franchise to shift its focus to her growth as a detective.

Mycroft Holmes' journey in the Enola Holmes films ends without any dramatic twist. Rather than being killed off or meeting an unexpected fate, the character, portrayed by Sam Claflin, simply exits the story after the first movie. By the end of the film, he hands over guardianship of Enola to Sherlock, marking the end of his involvement in his younger sister's life and paving the way for her independent adventures.

Netflix’s Sherlock Universe Stumbles as 'Enola Holmes 3' Sets New Franchise Low

That shift also explains why audiences never see much of him again, but the franchise's latest installment has been making headlines for an entirely different reason.

While Mycroft's absence continues to spark curiosity, Enola Holmes 3 is drawing attention for its early critical reception. The film currently holds an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on an initial set of reviews, making it the lowest-rated entry in the franchise so far. That compares with 93% for Enola Holmes 2 and 91% for the original film.

Although an 80% rating still indicates generally positive reviews, the decline suggests critics feel the third installment does not quite recapture the charm, wit, and inventive mystery that defined its predecessors. More reviews could change the score over time, but for now, the latest chapter stands as the weakest-reviewed film in Netflix's Enola Holmes series.

Nothing tragic happens to Mycroft in the Enola Holmes films. After relinquishing guardianship of Enola to Sherlock, he naturally fades into the background, while the franchise shifts its attention to Enola's evolution as a detective. His absence in later films also reflects actor Sam Claflin's scheduling commitments rather than any in-universe mystery.

Meet the Cast of ‘Enola Holmes 3’: Who’s Back for the Next Case on Netflix?

What do you think Mycroft's fate in Enola Holmes? Let us know in the comments!