Prime Video has unveiled the first official images from Young Sherlock, the highly anticipated origin series starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes. The streaming service also confirmed that the eight-episode series, directed and executive produced by visionary filmmaker Guy Ritchie, will premiere on Prime Video in 2026, bringing audiences an irreverent, action-packed reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective.
The first-look images released on Monday showcase Fiennes Tiffin in full period costume, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of a young Holmes before he evolved into the master detective of 221B Baker Street. Set in 1870s Oxford and featuring globe-trotting adventures across multiple international locations, the series promises to expose the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who would become one of literature’s most iconic characters.
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An Explosive Origin Story
Young Sherlock follows Sherlock Holmes as a disgraced 19-year-old at Oxford University—raw, undisciplined, and unformed—when he finds himself embroiled in a murder case that threatens his very freedom. Diving into his first-ever investigation with a wild lack of discipline, the young detective manages to unravel a far-reaching conspiracy that will change his life forever and set him on the path to greatness.
The series draws inspiration from Andy Lane’s critically acclaimed Young Sherlock Holmes book series, which consists of eight novels exploring the detective’s formative years. Lane’s books, published between 2010 and 2015, have garnered praise for their imaginative exploration of how the world’s greatest detective honed his skills, and now Guy Ritchie brings his signature cinematic style to this compelling origin narrative.
According to the official synopsis, the series will chart “the origin story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective in an explosive re-imagining of this iconic character.” The show promises all the wit and charm of Ritchie’s previous Sherlock Holmes feature films while forging its own distinct identity by focusing on Holmes’ formative experiences as a young man finding his purpose.
Guy Ritchie Returns to Baker Street
Young Sherlock marks Guy Ritchie’s triumphant return to the Sherlock Holmes universe after more than a decade. The acclaimed British director previously helmed two successful Holmes films—Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)—both starring Robert Downey Jr. as the detective, Jude Law as Dr. Watson, and Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler. Those films grossed over $1 billion worldwide and established Ritchie’s ability to blend period authenticity with kinetic action sequences and sharp humor.
“In Young Sherlock we’re going to see an exhilarating new version of the detective everyone thinks they know in a way they’ve never imagined before,” Ritchie stated when the series was first announced. “We’re going to crack open this enigmatic character, find out what makes him tick, and learn how he becomes the genius we all love.”
Though a third theatrical film and various spin-offs have long been rumored, Young Sherlock represents Ritchie’s first official return to the legendary detective’s world since 2011. His involvement as both director and executive producer ensures the series will carry his distinctive visual flair and narrative sensibility that made his previous Holmes adaptations so successful.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin Takes the Lead
The 26-year-old British actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin takes on the challenging role of portraying Holmes at age 19. Fiennes Tiffin, nephew of acclaimed actor Ralph Fiennes, brings considerable screen presence to the iconic role. He is perhaps best known for playing young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well as starring in the massively popular After film franchise alongside Josephine Langford.
His recent credits include The Woman King, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (which reunited him with Ritchie), The Loneliest Boy in the World, First Love, and The Silencing. The Young Sherlock role represents a significant step forward in his career, offering the opportunity to anchor a major streaming series and put his own stamp on one of fiction’s most famous characters.
Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “This exciting, new chapter about one of the world’s best-known literary characters, will delight our global customers with its captivating storytelling. With the brilliant creative team, led by Guy Ritchie and Matthew Parkhill, we will explore untold mysteries of how young Sherlock found his way to a life of truth-seeking.”
Stellar Ensemble Cast
Young Sherlock boasts an impressive supporting cast that adds gravitas and depth to the production. Joseph Fiennes—Hero’s uncle in real life—has been cast as Sherlock’s father, creating an interesting family dynamic both on and off screen. Natascha McElhone portrays Sherlock’s mother, while Max Irons has been confirmed as Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother who also possesses remarkable deductive abilities.
Academy Award winner Colin Firth joins the ensemble, though his specific role has not been detailed. Additional cast members include Dónal Finn, known for The Wheel of Time, and Zine Tseng from 3 Body Problem, who plays Princess Gulun Shou’an, described as a young Chinese princess, scholar, and martial artist. The diverse, international cast reflects the series’ globe-trotting nature and ambition to expand the Holmes mythology beyond Victorian London.
Behind the Scenes
The series is written and showrun by Matthew Parkhill, whose previous credits include Deep State and Rogue. Parkhill serves as executive producer alongside Ritchie, with additional executive producers including Dhana Gilbert, Marc Resteghini, Simon Maxwell, Ivan Atkinson, Simon Kelton, and Colin Wilson. Harriet Creelman and Steve Thompson serve as co-executive producers.
Motive Pictures led physical production for Young Sherlock, with filming taking place across multiple locations to capture the series’ expansive scope. Production began in the United Kingdom in July 2024, with scenes filmed in Bristol and Cardiff, Wales. In 2025, filming expanded to Spain, with locations in Jerez, Cádiz, and Seville providing authentic period backdrops for the globe-trotting adventure.
The production values evident in the first-look images suggest a lavish period drama with Ritchie’s trademark kinetic energy. The costumes, sets, and cinematography all point to a series that honors the Victorian era while infusing it with contemporary pacing and action sensibilities.
Expanding the Holmes Universe
Young Sherlock joins a crowded field of Holmes adaptations but distinguishes itself through its focus on the character’s formative years and Ritchie’s unique directorial vision. Recent years have seen numerous interpretations of Conan Doyle’s detective, from Benedict Cumberbatch’s modern take in BBC’s Sherlock to Will Ferrell’s comedic Holmes and Holmes, the Netflix film starring Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock’s younger sister Enola.
The series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, positioning it as a major international event for the streaming service. With eight episodes comprising the first season, Young Sherlock has ample time to develop its characters, explore the conspiracy at the heart of the narrative, and establish itself as a definitive interpretation of Holmes’ early years.
As 2026 approaches, anticipation continues to build for this fresh take on one of literature’s most enduring characters. With Guy Ritchie’s proven track record, a talented young lead in Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and a compelling premise that explores uncharted territory in the Holmes mythology, Young Sherlock appears poised to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers to the world of the great detective.
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FAQs
When will Young Sherlock premiere on Prime Video?
Young Sherlock will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in 2026. The exact release date has not been announced yet, but the series will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide simultaneously when it launches.
Who is playing Sherlock Holmes in Young Sherlock?
Hero Fiennes Tiffin, the 26-year-old British actor known for playing young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and starring in the After film franchise, portrays 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes in the series.
Has Guy Ritchie directed Sherlock Holmes projects before?
Yes, Guy Ritchie previously directed two successful Sherlock Holmes films—Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)—both starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Young Sherlock marks his return to the Holmes universe after over a decade.
What is Young Sherlock about?
Young Sherlock follows 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes at Oxford University as he becomes embroiled in a murder case that threatens his freedom. His first investigation leads him to uncover a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever, exploring the detective’s origin story before he became the master sleuth of 221B Baker Street.
Who else stars in Young Sherlock besides Hero Fiennes Tiffin?
The ensemble cast includes Joseph Fiennes as Sherlock’s father, Natascha McElhone as his mother, Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes, Colin Firth in an undisclosed role, Dónal Finn, and Zine Tseng as Princess Gulun Shou’an. The series features eight episodes for its first season.
