The Final Problem Netflix is now streaming, bringing Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s bestselling mystery novel to the screen as a four-episode Spanish limited series.
Starring José Coronado, María Valverde, Martiño Rivas and Maribel Verdú, the series follows a retired actor who once played Sherlock Holmes and unexpectedly finds himself investigating a suspicious death at an isolated hotel.
Set in 1959, the mystery unfolds after a violent storm traps thirteen people on a small island near Mallorca. When a British tourist is found dead, what initially looks like suicide soon appears to be murder.
Here’s everything to know about The Final Problem on Netflix, including the story, cast, episodes, ending, and where to watch.
What Is The Final Problem About?
The Final Problem is a Spanish mystery thriller based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s bestselling novel of the same name.
The story takes place in the spring of 1959, when thirteen people become stranded at a secluded hotel on a small island off the coast of Mallorca after a violent storm.
Their isolation becomes much more serious when Elisa Mander, a British tourist staying at the hotel, is found dead.
At first, her death appears to be a suicide. However, evidence soon suggests that she may have been murdered.
With nobody able to leave the island and no one able to arrive, every guest and member of the hotel staff becomes a potential suspect.
The investigation falls unexpectedly to Basil, a retired actor who was once famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes on screen. He joins forces with Foxá, an aspiring thriller writer, as they begin searching the hotel for clues.
Netflix describes the series as a period thriller filled with secrets, mystery, and unexpected twists.
The Final Problem Release Date
The Final Problem premiered on Netflix on September 25, 2026.
The series was released as a four-episode limited series, with all four episodes available to watch on Netflix.
You can watch the series through the official Netflix page for The Final Problem.
The Final Problem Cast
The main cast includes:
- José Coronado as Basil
- María Valverde as Adela Figueroa
- Martiño Rivas as Foxá
- Maribel Verdú as Mrs. Ausländer
- Gonzalo de Castro as Fonseca
- Cristina Kovani as a young actress
- José Condessa
- Pepón Nieto
José Coronado leads the series as Basil, a retired actor whose past connection to Sherlock Holmes becomes important when he is pulled into the murder investigation.
Netflix officially announced the ensemble cast when production began, including Coronado, Valverde, Rivas, Verdú, de Castro, Kovani, Condessa and Nieto.
Who Does José Coronado Play?
José Coronado plays Basil, a retired actor who was once famous for playing Sherlock Holmes.
That background gives Basil an unusual connection to the mystery. Although he is not a professional detective, his experience portraying one makes him naturally drawn toward investigating the suspicious death.
When Elisa Mander dies at the isolated hotel, Basil finds himself taking on the role of investigator for real.
The Final Problem Episode Guide
The Netflix series has four episodes.
Episode 1
Basil travels to Mallorca hoping to relaunch his career, but a death at the hotel changes everything.
Elisa Mander is found dead, and the guests quickly become suspects.
Episode 2
The investigation becomes more dangerous after a murder weapon appears in Basil’s room.
Vicky makes an accusation, but the situation does not seem to add up.
Episode 3
The hotel takes drastic measures while the police finally manage to make contact.
As the investigation continues, Basil and the other guests become increasingly suspicious of one another.
Episode 4
The final episode brings the mystery toward its conclusion.
Basil is still unable to leave behind what happened at Santa Águeda, while the shooting of a new film exposes more about the people involved.
Netflix’s official episode description confirms that the fourth episode resolves the central mystery.
The Final Problem Ending Explained
Warning: spoilers ahead.
The ending of The Final Problem is designed around the mystery surrounding Elisa Mander’s death and the secrets held by the people trapped inside the hotel.
The central question throughout the series is whether Elisa really died by suicide or whether someone at the hotel murdered her.
As Basil investigates, the story gradually reveals that the apparent simplicity of the case is misleading. The isolated setting means that every guest and member of staff has a possible connection to the crime.
The final episode brings Basil’s investigation to its conclusion and reveals the truth behind what happened at Santa Águeda.
Netflix’s official episode synopsis confirms that the final episode “resolves the final problem,” but the official synopsis does not disclose the identity of the killer or the complete solution.
This section will be updated with the full ending breakdown once the final clues and solution can be confirmed from the episodes themselves.
Is The Final Problem Based on a Book?
Yes.
The Final Problem is based on the bestselling novel by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte.
The Netflix series adapts the novel as a four-episode period mystery set in 1959.
The story also uses Sherlock Holmes as an important part of its premise because Basil previously portrayed the famous detective on screen.
This does not mean the Netflix series is a direct adaptation of an original Sherlock Holmes story. Instead, Sherlock Holmes is part of the story through Basil’s past as an actor.
Is The Final Problem a Sherlock Holmes Series?
Not exactly.
Although Sherlock Holmes is an important part of the setup, The Final Problem is not a traditional Sherlock Holmes adaptation.
The main mystery follows Basil, a retired actor who once played Holmes, as he investigates a suspicious death at an isolated hotel.
The story is primarily an adaptation of Pérez-Reverte’s novel, with the Sherlock Holmes connection built into Basil’s character.
Where Was The Final Problem Filmed?
The story is set around a secluded hotel on an island near Mallorca, where the characters become trapped by a violent storm.
The isolated setting is central to the mystery because the characters cannot simply leave once the investigation begins.
The production was directed by Félix Viscarret, with Alberto Macías, Carlos Molinero and Marisol Farré among the screenwriters.
Is The Final Problem Worth Watching?
If you enjoy closed-room mysteries, period thrillers and murder investigations, The Final Problem has a setup designed around those elements.
Its strongest hook is the combination of a confined location, a large group of suspects and a retired actor with a connection to Sherlock Holmes.
The four-episode format also makes it a relatively compact mystery rather than a long-running series.
The series is especially suited to viewers who like stories where the investigation unfolds by questioning suspects, uncovering secrets, and reassessing the evidence.
The Final Problem Review
The Final Problem has an intriguing premise: trap thirteen people in an isolated hotel, introduce a suspicious death, and give the investigation to a retired actor who once played Sherlock Holmes.
The period setting adds another layer to the story, while the limited four-episode structure keeps the mystery focused.
José Coronado is at the center of the series as Basil, with María Valverde, Martiño Rivas and Maribel Verdú leading the ensemble around him.
Rather than relying only on action, the series builds its tension around suspicion and uncertainty. The central mystery works because every person inside the hotel could potentially know more than they are saying.
For Netflix viewers looking for a short mystery thriller, The Final Problem offers a self-contained story with a clear beginning, investigation, and resolution.
How Many Episodes Does The Final Problem Have?
The Final Problem has four episodes.
Netflix lists the episodes at approximately:
- Episode 1 — 57 minutes
- Episode 2 — 35 minutes
- Episode 3 — 42 minutes
- Episode 4 — 48 minutes
The entire limited series is available to stream on Netflix.
Where to Watch The Final Problem
The Final Problem is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
The series premiered on September 25, 2026, and all four episodes are available on the Netflix title page.
For more Netflix releases and upcoming movies, readers can also check FilmRadar’s Upcoming Movies 2026 guide.
You can also explore more movie coverage through FilmRadar’s Movies section.
Final Thoughts
The Final Problem brings Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s mystery to Netflix as a four-episode Spanish limited series led by José Coronado.
Its combination of a secluded hotel, a suspicious death, thirteen trapped characters, and a former Sherlock Holmes actor gives the series a classic murder-mystery setup with a distinctive twist.
For viewers searching for a new Netflix mystery thriller, the complete four-episode story is now available to stream.