Netflix is celebrating the premiere of Enola Holmes [1] by erecting statues of the accomplished sisters of some of England's more widely recognised male cultural icons. The statues can be seen for a limited time on London's Baker Street, in Portsmouth, Dorchester, Birmingham, and Bath.
Enola Holmes, played by Millie Bobby Brown and starring Helena Bonham Carter, focuses on the sister of fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Enola is described by Netflix as a "precocious teenage detective and code breaker, best known for her investigations into the disappearance of her mother. Raised a true feminist, she battles the establishment and outwits her famous brother in unravelling a dangerous conspiracy."
The statue of fictional character Enola Holmes will be placed alongside the preexisting statue of Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street and has inspired Netflix to install statues all across the UK to honour the real overlooked sisters whose accomplishments were overshadowed throughout history. A statue of Frances Dickens, sister of Charles Dickens, can be seen beside her brother in Portsmouth; a statue of Mary Hardy, sister of Thomas Hardy, is installed in Dorchester; a statue of Princess Helena Victoria, sister of King Edward VII, will be erected in Birmingham; and a statue of Maria Anna Mozart, sister of Wolfgang Mozart, can be seen in Bath.
Ahead, a closer look at the statues and the histories of these phenomenal women.
Enola Holmes Statue on Baker Street in London
The statue on Baker Street depicts Enola, the sister of fictional character Sherlock Holmes [2], and the main character in Netflix's new series starring Millie Bobby Brown and Helena Bonham Carter.
Enola Holmes Statue on Baker Street in London
Frances Dickens Statue in Portsmouth
The statue in Portsmouth celebrates Frances Dickens, the sister of Charles Dickens, who was a talented pianist and singer and who studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Frances was so gifted that the family prioritised her education over Charles, as they could only afford schooling for one child.
Frances Dickens Statue in Portsmouth
Mary Hardy Statue in Dorchester
Mary Hardy was headmistress of Piddlehinton Village School in west Dorset, a significant achievement for a women during the 19th century.
Mary Hardy Statue in Dorchester
Princess Helena Victoria Statue in Birmingham
Princess Helena Victoria may have been King Edward VII's sister, but more importantly, she was also a founding member of the British Red Cross and president of the Royal British Nurses Association. Throughout her lifetime, she campaigned for better working conditions, rights, and pay for healthcare workers.
Princess Helena Victoria Statue in Birmingham
Maria Anna Mozart Statue in Bath
Yup, Maria Anna was the sister of Wolfgang Amadeus, and she was a gifted harpsichord and fortepiano player who toured Vienna and Paris. When playing alongside her brother, she was often given top billing, although, as she grew older cultural pressures kept her from continuing her music career.
Maria Anna Mozart Statue in Bath
Maria Anna Mozart Statue in Bath
Maria Anna Mozart Statue in Bath
