The Sheep Detectives (2026)

The Sheep Detectives is rated PG for “thematic material, some violent content and brief language,” but I felt like I was watching something absolutely suitable for the entire family on a summer outing, perfect for the drive-in if you’ve still got one near you, with both jokes that are surprisingly funny and events that are surprisingly moving. And it’s packed with stars, both live and voice: Bryan Cranston, Hugh Jackman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Emma Thompson, etc. Jackman plays George Hardy, a struggling sheep rancher who despises the town butcher. Every night he reads chapters from mystery novels to the flock, who bleat satisfaction in unison. They love story time. When humans aren’t around they speak English to one another, as funnee talking aminals are wont to do. They are a bunch of irresistible charming characters. Lily (Louis-Dreyfus) is an expert in mystery stories and usually sees developments coming before they get there. Sir Ritchfield (Stewart) is a pompous strutting ass who’s wrong about everything. Sebastian (Cranston) is a proud loner with a complicated background. Cloud (Regina Hall) extravagantly admires her own beauty and always thinks it’s the maid who committed the crime. There are more, all distinct, along with sheep acting like sheep and a whole thing about “winter lambs,” which they say are often rejected by the flock. Then, unexpectedly, Hardy turns up dead. At first police call it a heart attack but before long Lily and the sheep are on the case. The police investigation is led by Officer Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun. Succession, The Perks of Being a Wallflower), who reminded me of Don Knotts. Basically the plot from that point is a takeoff on the Agatha Christie style, with a handful of suspects—including an obvious one who just as obviously won’t be the miscreant—and, eventually, a confrontation with an explaining detective that leads to the revelation of the culprit. Lily and the other sheep are well-versed in these stories. They see all the wrinkles coming before they get there. They are always hanging around the periphery, helping to guide Officer Derry to the truth. No one seems to think it’s strange the way these sheep are just hanging around. Consider bringing a hanky to this show because somehow it gets credibly intense in the second half and you will likely need it. I was prepared for something a little silly, and hopefully entertaining, but I came away from it all wrung out in the best ways. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, your heart may go pit-a-pat. Big franchise potential here too, for better or worse.