'Young Sherlock' Series Promises Fresh Take on Iconic Detective and Surprising Moriarty Twist

Hero Fiennes Tiffin knew stepping into the role of Sherlock Holmes would come with pressure. While researching the character, he visited London's Sherlock Holmes Museum and saw a wall filled with the faces of actors who have played the famous detective over the years. The moment made the weight of the role feel very real, especially since his own version of Sherlock has yet to reach audiences.

Despite the nerves, Fiennes Tiffin says he's incredibly proud of 'Young Sherlock' and excited for viewers to finally see it. The series comes from director and executive producer Guy Ritchie, whose work the actor has long admired.

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A lifelong fan of the character, Fiennes Tiffin says 'Sherlock Holmes' has been part of his world for as long as he can remember, from childhood jokes to Ritchie's earlier films starring Robert Downey Jr. Landing the role feels like a dream come true.

Showrunner Matthew Parkhill, another devoted Sherlock fan, approached the project with a clear guiding rule. He avoided changing anything from the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories and instead focused on what happened before them. By exploring Sherlock's life prior to the first novel, Parkhill felt free to build something new while still honouring the source material.

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About 'Young Sherlock' 

The result is a fast-paced, action-heavy take on Sherlock's early years. The series introduces a younger, rougher version of the detective who ends up in jail for pickpocketing, driven more by curiosity than greed. His brother, Mycroft, eventually secures him a modest job at Oxford, where Sherlock stumbles into a murder investigation that expands into an international conspiracy.

The show also digs deeper into Sherlock's family life, helping explain why he becomes the person audiences know so well. In a unique twist, Fiennes Tiffin's real-life uncle, Joseph Fiennes, plays Sherlock's father, Silas. The actor says working with his uncle felt natural and meaningful, even if he suspects the casting was no coincidence.

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Matthew Parkhill's Experience Working on 'Young Sherlock' 

Parkhill enjoyed watching the real-life family dynamic play out on set and even included a childhood story about Joseph Fiennes performing magic tricks for his nephew in the script. He notes that while Sherlock is brilliant and confident, being around his father brings out a more vulnerable, youthful side, something reflected both on screen and behind the scenes.

One of the show's most intriguing changes is the relationship between Sherlock and James Moriarty, played by Dónal Finn. Instead of starting as enemies, the two meet at Oxford and form a close friendship. Parkhill explains that he always wondered how such bitter rivals could know each other so well, and imagined that a powerful friendship might have come first.

The dynamic was inspired by classic on-screen partnerships and allows the series to tell two origin stories at once. Matthew Parkhill suggests that without crossing paths, neither Sherlock nor Moriarty would have become the figures audiences recognise today.

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Fiennes Tiffin on 'Young Sherlock'

Fiennes Tiffin admits the twist took some getting used to, especially as a fan of the traditional stories. Still, he believes the slow build makes the series more exciting, teasing where the characters are headed while letting viewers enjoy the journey.

The show also includes plenty of nods for longtime fans, from early appearances of familiar characters to subtle hints about iconic accessories and catchphrases. While Dr Watson does not appear yet, Parkhill says the door is not entirely closed, as long as the original canon remains untouched.

With a cast that also includes Max Irons, Natascha McElhone, Zine Tseng, and Colin Firth, 'Young Sherlock' aims to feel fresh while staying true to its roots. The mystery begins streaming on Prime Video in March.

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