The Irregulars: Explained – Everything We Know About Season 1

By Lois Robinett On Nov 4, 2021

Netflix’s The Irregulars is a narrative of spiritualism and the triumph over loss, placed in the unique setting of a Sherlock Holmes adaptation, as the show's finale reveals. The Baker Street Irregulars are a bunch of children who Sherlock Holmes hires to patrol the streets on his behalf in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books and short tales. The streets of Victorian London were teeming with so-called street urchins, and he realized they could go where he couldn't and ask any questions that an adult would find strange.

The Irregulars purports to be inspired by that concept, but it's really just a creative hook for the program to latch onto. Rather, this is a supernatural adventure in which a group of teens must explore a world filled with monsters while attempting to shut a Rift that is releasing mystical energies throughout the planet.

Never before has a TV show had such a suitable title. “Irregular” is the perfect term to describe a TV drama set in Victorian London and starring Prince Leopold, a historical figure with an anachronistic modern music and speech that feels far more relevant to the twenty-first century.

It everything comes together in a conclusion that is nevertheless emotionally fulfilling, despite how mismatched and “irregular” it all is. However, in order to properly enjoy this most unusual Sherlock Holmes production, viewers must first comprehend one basic fact: The Irregulars is not at all about Sherlock Holmes. Here's a rundown of what occurs at the end of The Irregulars and what it signifies.

The Irregulars Season 1 Ending Explained

As a result, the majority of The Irregulars' ultimate clash isn't a physical fight — rather, it's an emotionally charged debate that culminates in some noble self-sacrifice. However, there is a scene in which someone battles an evil nun.

The Irregulars finale, which is part of a double bill with the penultimate episode (aka episode seven, The Ecstasy of Death), pits our heroes against the Linen Man (Clarke Peters), who has enlisted the help of the troubled Sherlock (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) to take control of the Rip, aka the tear in reality leading to another dimension that has (over the course of the series) brought real dark magic and the supernatural.

The Linen Man, who was earlier portrayed as a compassionate psychic who helped Jessie (Darci Shaw) comprehend her abilities, is actually want the Rip's power for himself. Meanwhile, the Irregulars seek to seal the Rip to prevent it from destroying the earth – but in episode seven, Sherlock was persuaded to aid The Linen Man rather than capture him, and the two headed out to the ancient Plague Pit where the Rip is located at the opening of the finale.

He hopes that by opening it farther this time, he will be able to bring her back – and certainly, he succeeds, reuniting her with Jessie and Bea.

This blissful reunion, however, is just temporary. After 15 years alone in a realm for lost spirits, refusing to pass on (basically, she was in Purgatory), Alice reopened the Rip to see her daughters (Royce Pierreson's Watson had unintentionally opened it the first time, years previously).

The reason for Sherlock's assistance is simple: the last time the Rip was closed, his companion Alice (Eileen O'Higgins, above in younger years), the mother of Jessie and Bea (Thaddea Graham), was dragged within.

Now, corrupted by her time away, Alice intends to completely open the Rip, permitting her family being together permanently but simultaneously destroying Earth as “our” realm is absorbed by the one on the other side. Understandably, this does not go over well, and Jessie and Bea decide to completely seal the Rip, requiring their mother to return to the other side.

There is, however, one final twist in the story. As Alice makes her way through, Sherlock chooses to follow her, pushing himself through the Rip and into the Purgatory reality, leaving a horrified Jessie, Bea, and Watson behind.

Who Are the Irregulars?

Bea: Bea, the Irregulars' commander, is a fiery, impetuous woman (Thaddea Graham). She may be young, but she's had to care for her younger sister since they were children, and living on the streets drove her to mature quickly. She'll go to any length to keep her sister safe and their circle of friends together, even if it means violating the law.

Jessie: Bea's younger sister, Jessie (Darci Shaw), adores her almost as much as Bea does her. But that's the extent of their resemblance. Jessie is sweet, sensitive… and has crippling nightmares, whereas Bea is independent and rough around the edges.

Billy: Billy (Jojo Macari) is the Irregulars' oldest (and largest) member, who, like Bea, will go to any length to protect his chosen family. Billy is prone to throwing fists rather than talking things out, but that's because he's had a hard upbringing.

Spike: Spike (McKell David) may appear to be comedic relief at first, but there's a lot more to this fast-talking charmer than meets the eye. He has a lot of lightness, but he also has a lot of insight when the other teenagers need it the most.

Leo: Leopold (Harrison Osterfield) is an outcast among the Irregulars. For one thing, he meets them for the first time in the first episode, although the rest of them have known each other their whole lives. For another, he isn't quite a homeless person like them.

Is Sherlock Dead in the End of The Irregulars?

Jessie and Bea gave Sherlock Holmes one more taste of life, although he is well aware that he has shriveled into a shell of the man he once was. He can't seem to shake his melancholy, so he gives in and tries to enter the Rift in order to be with Alice in Purgatory. Watson attempts to stop him, but in the end, he has no choice but to let Holmes leave, knowing that the man he loves would no longer love him. Instead, Watson chooses to help Bea save Jessie from the Rift.

There seems to be a lovely feeling of irony here, in that Watson ultimately proves himself to be a stronger man than Holmes, someone who can finally let go of the past and live anew. Now that Sherlock Holmes is no longer alive, Watson must create a new life for himself, one that is not defined by Sherlock Holmes or 15-year-old recollections of brilliance.

The Irregulars in currently streaming on Netflix. Watch The Irregulars Trailer below

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