In a film industry obsessed with sequels and IP, it is rare to see young actors speak of a project with the warmth reserved for a family gathering. But Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge, the stars of Netflix’s Enola Holmes 2, sit down for an interview and immediately break into easy laughter. They are not just colleagues; they are siblings on screen and off.
“The bond we have is real,” Brown says, her accent slipping between her native British and the Californian cadence of her Stranger Things fame. “We spend hours on set just laughing until our stomachs hurt. That is the core of Enola and Tewkesbury: they annoy each other, they protect each other, and they have fun.”
Partridge, soft-spoken but quick to grin, nods. “We trust each other. When you are doing a scene that requires vulnerability, you need that trust. Millie makes it easy.”
The first Enola Holmes film, released in 2020, was a surprise hit. It took the character from Nancy Springer’s book series and placed her in a Victorian London that felt both historical and refreshingly modern. Brown, who also produced the film, wanted to expand the world. The sequel, out this November, picks up with Enola starting her own detective agency and taking on her first official case: a missing matchgirl.
“The mystery is darker this time,” Brown explains. “It deals with real issues: child labour, poverty, the struggle of women to be taken seriously. But we balance it with humour and heart. That is what I love about Enola: she is serious about her work but she never forgets to live.”
Partridge’s character, Lord Tewkesbury, returns as a friend and romantic interest, though both actors are quick to downplay the romance. “We are not a love story,” Partridge insists. “It is a partnership. They are equals. He supports her ambitions and she challenges his complacency.”
Brown cuts in: “He is her emotional support Victorian boyfriend. He brings snacks and listens to her rant. That is true love.”
On set, the pair’s dynamic is playful. They discuss pranks, shared jokes, and the challenges of period costumes. Brown admits she almost fainted under her corset during a chase scene. Partridge reveals he kept a stash of chocolate in his coat pocket for energy.
“The set was a happy place,” says Brown. “We had a diverse crew, a female director, and a story that mattered. It felt like we were making something important.”
Both actors are aware of the pressures of fame. Brown has grown up in the public eye since Stranger Things. Partridge, while newer to the spotlight, has faced the same scrutiny. But they handle it with a maturity that belies their ages.
“I have a good support system,” Brown says. “My family, my friends, and Louis. We keep each other grounded.”
Enola Holmes 2 is more than a sequel. It is a continuation of a story about a girl who refuses to be limited by her time. And for Brown and Partridge, it is a chance to share that message with a new generation.
“We want people to leave the cinema feeling empowered,” Brown concludes. “And maybe a little hungry for a belly laugh.”
