featuring @lucyhale
Lucy Hale is heading to Victoria to lead Scarlett Holmes, a new romance-mystery series from Australian production company Jaggi Entertainment.
The Pretty Little Liars star will headline and executive produce the series, which is set to film in Victoria and will premiere on The Roku Channel in 2027.
Described as a fresh, romantic take on the legendary Sherlock Holmes mythology, Scarlett Holmes follows a modern descendant of the famous detective who has inherited her family’s extraordinary powers of observation. Rather than investigating traditional criminal cases, however, Scarlett puts those skills to work solving the mysteries of love, dating and relationships.
Alongside her sidekick Jane Watson, Scarlett helps clients navigate everything from mixed signals and secret crushes to complicated romantic dilemmas.
But solving everyone else’s love life proves considerably easier than dealing with her own.
Scarlett’s world becomes complicated when she falls for Ollie Moriarity, a charming podcast producer who is secretly working on an exposé about her methods. Suddenly, the woman who can seemingly decipher everyone else’s romantic problems is faced with her most difficult case yet: understanding her own heart.
Each episode of the series will reportedly draw inspiration from a beloved romantic comedy, combining the familiar conventions of the rom-com with the investigative elements of the Sherlock Holmes legacy.
For Hale, the project represents an opportunity to combine two genres she clearly has a strong connection to.
“I am a true diehard fan of romantic comedies,” Hale said of the series, describing Scarlett Holmes as charming, sexy, funny and full of heart. She also praised the character as smart, curious and complicated, while noting that Scarlett is ultimately searching for love just like everyone else.
Jaggi Entertainment’s Steve Jaggi is also executive producing alongside Sophie Tilson and Hale, with Paris Herbert-Taylor and Katie Wilbert writing the series.
Roku Originals executives Morgan Pichinson and Sabrina Lyall are overseeing the project, while Jaggi Entertainment will handle international sales.
The production will also bring another international television project to Victoria, continuing the state’s growing appeal as a destination for screen productions.
For Hale, the series adds another intriguing project to an increasingly diverse slate. She is best known for her long-running role as Aria Montgomery in Pretty Little Liars, while her more recent credits include The Hating Game, Puppy Love, Which Brings Me to You, F** Marry Kill* and Ragdoll.
With Scarlett Holmes, Hale is stepping into a role that combines mystery, romance and comedy while also giving her an opportunity to work behind the scenes as an executive producer.
The Roku Channel is expected to debut Scarlett Holmes in 2027.
For Australian audiences, the series will also offer the added appeal of seeing Victoria provide the backdrop for a new international production starring a major American television and film star.
