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| Young Sherlock Season 2 Theories: Moriarty’s Secret Plot, Silas Holmes’ Fate, and the Arrival of Watson. (Image via: Prime Video) |
The first season of Young Sherlock ended with a quiet but unsettling twist: the friendship between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty may already be heading towards its inevitable collapse. The final scene of episode eight hints that Moriarty is secretly working on something dangerous, while Sherlock becomes absorbed in a separate mystery connected to his father’s hidden past. Although the streaming platform has not officially confirmed a second season, the unresolved storylines have sparked intense speculation about what could happen next.
Based on the closing moments of season one and several unresolved character arcs, fans believe the next chapter could revolve around betrayal, family secrets and the moment when Sherlock and Moriarty finally move from allies to adversaries.
Moriarty’s Secret Project Could Drive the Main Conflict
One of the biggest revelations in the season one finale is that Moriarty has obtained Professor Kishore Malik’s chemical formula. If recreated, the compound could become a highly dangerous nerve agent originally linked to Sherlock’s father, Silas Holmes.
Sherlock had already rejected the idea of building such a weapon earlier in the story, refusing to take part in anything that could harm innocent people. That decision placed him morally at odds with both his father and Moriarty. Season two could push this conflict further.
Many viewers now believe Moriarty will attempt to rebuild the formula and turn it into a powerful weapon that could be sold to the highest bidder. The theory suggests Moriarty’s ambition will override any loyalty he still feels towards Sherlock, setting the stage for their first true confrontation.
If the story moves in that direction, Sherlock may be forced to make an impossible choice between protecting his closest friend and stopping a dangerous plan before it spreads chaos.
Beatrice Could Become Moriarty’s Unexpected Partner
Another storyline likely to expand in season two revolves around Sherlock’s sister, Beatrice Holmes.
In the final episode, Moriarty arranges to meet Beatrice at a pub, hinting that he wants to discuss a future collaboration. Sherlock interrupts the meeting before Moriarty can reveal his plan, leaving the moment unresolved.
Fans suspect Moriarty intends to recruit Beatrice into his operation. She has already demonstrated a sharp criminal mind in the series, including the idea of hiding contraband inside dolls to move goods without detection. That ability makes her a valuable partner for someone planning a large-scale operation.
Beatrice could face a difficult decision in the next season: return to a life tied to her father’s schemes or rebuild her relationship with the family she has barely known for years. Some viewers believe Moriarty may manipulate her emotions, especially if she believes he genuinely cares about her.
If that happens, the emotional fallout could become one of the show’s most dramatic storylines.
Sherlock’s Investigation Into His Father’s Past
While Moriarty begins shaping his future, Sherlock appears to be drawn into a completely different mystery involving his father.
After Silas Holmes’ apparent death, Sherlock discovers a hidden key inside a copy of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. The object suggests Silas deliberately left behind clues before his disappearance.
Sherlock’s investigation could become a major side storyline in the next season. The key may lead him to hidden locations, secret contacts or records connected to his father’s past activities.
More importantly, it may finally reveal what Silas Holmes was truly planning before his fall from the cliff.
The Theory That Silas Holmes Is Still Alive
One of the most popular fan theories is that Silas Holmes may not be dead at all.
Although the character appeared to fall from a cliff in the finale, the series never showed a body being recovered. In television storytelling, that detail often signals a possible return.
Silas’ earlier line — “Everything was intentional. Everything by design.” — has also fuelled speculation that his disappearance could be part of a larger strategy.
Some fans believe Sherlock’s investigation will eventually lead him to the truth: his father survived and has been working in the shadows. If that theory proves correct, Silas could reappear at a crucial moment to confront Moriarty or reveal the full scale of the weapon project.
New Characters Could Expand the Sherlock Universe
If the series follows the structure of Andy Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes novels, season two may also introduce several familiar figures from the wider Sherlock Holmes world.
The most anticipated arrival is a younger version of Dr. John Watson, widely known as Sherlock’s future partner. Fans expect Watson to appear as a capable ally who can assist Sherlock in the physical side of investigations.
Returning characters are also likely to play key roles. Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft Holmes is expected to remain a powerful supporter behind the scenes, while Cordelia Holmes, Sherlock’s mother, could gain more influence after reclaiming her family estate following Silas’ disappearance.
There is also speculation that Xiao Wei, the mysterious assassin who briefly connected with Sherlock in season one, could return. Some viewers believe she may cross paths with Sherlock again while both attempt to stop Moriarty’s growing ambitions.
Some fans argue that Moriarty’s transformation into Sherlock’s enemy should happen slowly, allowing their friendship to remain central for a while longer. Others believe the series should embrace the darker direction hinted at in the finale and push the two characters directly into conflict.
There is also strong support for the introduction of Watson, with many viewers saying the series feels incomplete without the iconic partnership. Meanwhile, theories about Silas Holmes’ survival remain one of the most widely debated topics among the fandom.
The Future of Young Sherlock
Although an official renewal announcement has yet to arrive, the first season clearly left multiple storylines unfinished. The tension between Sherlock and Moriarty, the mystery surrounding Silas Holmes, and the possibility of new characters entering the story all point towards a larger narrative waiting to unfold.
For now, viewers can only speculate about where the series might go next. But if a second season does move forward, it could mark the moment when Sherlock Holmes begins his transformation from gifted student into the legendary detective the world knows.
What do you think will happen in Young Sherlock Season 2? Will Moriarty fully embrace his darker ambitions, and could Silas Holmes still be alive somewhere in the shadows?