Set in the 1870s, the new television series Young Sherlock follows the early adventures of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, blending mystery, danger, and intrigue. Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as the young Holmes, and he shares his excitement about acting alongside his uncle Joseph Fiennes, who plays Silas Holmes, Sherlock’s father, in this Guy Ritchie-directed adaptation inspired by Andrew Lane’s books.
The Early Adventures of a Budding Detective
The show dives into the turbulent world shaping Sherlock Holmes before he became England’s most famous detective. By the end of the series, Sherlock faces life-threatening challenges including being shot at, detained, and chased through London’s winding streets. Isolated from everyone except his close friend James Moriarty, Sherlock’s family struggles with their own hardships: his father Silas works secretly in Vienna, his mother battles depression following a family loss, and his elder brother Mycroft strives to keep Sherlock balanced amid his reckless tendencies.
Currently, Sherlock finds respite at the family’s countryside manor, sharing a quiet moment with his mother (played by Natascha McElhone) and Moriarty (Dónal Finn), as they try to navigate justice while staying alive. This fragile peace is shattered when a sudden knock at the door reveals Silas Holmes, alive and unexpectedly home.
Real-Life Family Ties Illuminate On-Screen Relationships
Hero Fiennes Tiffin describes the joy of opening a door to see his uncle Joseph Fiennes, who brings to life Sherlock’s father Silas Holmes.
“In real life, I’ve opened our front door as a kid of multiple ages and seen Joe on the other side,”
Hero explains.
“And I’ve always done so with a big smile because I’ve always been happy to see him!”
This genuine family connection translates into a natural chemistry on screen, enriching the father-son dynamic portrayed.
Joseph Fiennes, proud to work alongside his nephew, expresses his delight:
“It’s a privilege and it’s a lovely thing.”
He adds,
“I’ve held this gorgeous young gentleman in my arms as a baby, and to see him grow into this wonderful extraordinarily talented leading actor – helming the show and reinventing Sherlock. And it’s lovely that we’re connected as family in real life too, so that we can lean into that relationship on the screen.”
Joseph emphasizes how family familiarity deepens their performances.
“What’s great about acting with other family members is you get something for free,”
he says.
“You get familiarity. Most actors who are playing somebody’s family member are trying to discover about them or write a biography or do research to find that authenticity in the relationship. We get it built-in and it’s a wonderful gift to lean into. It makes me chuckle inwardly actually, because it’s so unique.”
Supporting Cast and the Fiennes Family Legacy
The cast also features Colin Firth as Sir Bucephalus Hodge and Taiwanese actress Zine Tseng playing Princess Gulun Shou’an, a scholar and fighter, adding layers of diversity and depth to the series. The Fiennes family itself boasts a rich creative lineage: Hero’s uncles include actor Ralph Fiennes and composer Magnus Fiennes, his aunt is documentary filmmaker Sophie Fiennes, and his mother is the accomplished director and writer Martha Fiennes. Growing up in this artistic environment, Hero was eager to collaborate with Joseph but wanted to do so only when he felt prepared.
“I’ve always loved the idea of working with Joe specifically, or with any of the members of my family who are in the industry. But I’ve always been aware that I’ve also wanted that opportunity to come about naturally and in the right capacity, and I’m very grateful that by now I’ve had the opportunity to find my own feet as an actor and that I’ve got some experience behind me,”
Hero says.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s Path to Sherlock Holmes
Born to filmmaker Martha Fiennes and writer-cinematographer George Tiffin, whom he describes as “the smartest person I know,” Hero launched his acting career at age 11 in the film Bigga Than Ben. He is widely recognized for portraying the young Tom Riddle, future Lord Voldemort, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) and for starring as Hardin Scott in the popular After film series between 2019 and 2023.
Hero admits he was always drawn to Sherlock Holmes.
“I was a huge fan of Sherlock growing up,”
he says.
“My dad probably told me about Sherlock at a very young age before I’d even seen anything or read anything on my own. I’m sure he would have read me some of the stories at bedtime or even recited them from memory.”
His introduction to Sherlock on screen came through Guy Ritchie’s films starring Robert Downey Jr., followed by Benedict Cumberbatch’s BBC series, which fueled his passion for the character. Yet, once cast as Sherlock, Hero intentionally avoided rewatching these portrayals.
“Once I got this role I had to resist the temptation to watch any more of those portrayals again because I thought it was really important that I bring some of my own originality to this. I’ve digested so much of Sherlock previously that I thought, ‘Actually, I don’t want to be any more influenced than I already am’. Now that I’ve done the show, I’ll give Sherlock a re-watch soon, I’m sure.”
Family Pride and Personal Reflections
Hero shares a special bond with his father and feels pleased to honor that connection through the show.
“We had the London premiere last night – it was my fourth time seeing the first two episodes and it was such a treat for me to watch it with my dad. He was laughing a lot and he absolutely loved it, which was so special because he’s not only my dad, he was the one who introduced me to this character in the first place.”
The actor sees parallels between Sherlock’s love of knowledge and his father’s own academic passions.
“Me and my brother never quite gave my dad what he wanted in the sense of a passion for education, so I’m sure my dad enjoys watching me play a character who is as intrigued as he was by a life in the pursuit of learning. My dad loved his education. He went to Eton and Oxford and had a very good relationship with his Latin teacher. I remember meeting his Latin teacher when my Dad was probably 45 years old, so however many years later they were still friends.”
Despite this, Hero did not always excel academically himself.
“I was never the biggest fan of school, myself, and I always felt a little bit sad that I couldn’t give my Dad that same relatability. He and I always had great conversations about all sorts of things, but I just never clicked with academia at school.”
As for drama in school, Hero smiles:
“I got a C in GCSE drama. Me and my friends chose to do a comedy and probably had too much fun messing around. I did play Henry VIII in primary school and got rave reviews for that… but I was eight-years-old at the time.”
Sharing the Screen with Max Irons: Brotherhood On and Off Set
Max Irons, playing Sherlock’s protective older brother Mycroft, recalls the warmth and kindness Hero brought to the audition and filming process.
“I remember being called to audition after Hero had already been cast,”
Max says.
“Now, auditions are such funny things. I’ve been to auditions where you’re in a room with eight other guys, and let me tell you the competition is fierce and the mind games are numerous.”
He adds,
“There’s a guy over here doing press-ups, showing off his biceps and flashing a bit of a six-pack. There’s a guy over there going, ‘I hear they don’t like English actors’. Whereas Hero, the first time I met him, he walked down the corridor, and he gave me a hug. It was a proper, proper deep hug, and then we went into the audition, and that same warmth and kindness went through the whole process, and followed through the next six months. So no work on my behalf was needed to feel like he was my brother.”
Both actors come from renowned theatrical families. Max is the son of Jeremy Irons and Sinéad Cusack, while Hero is part of the Fiennes lineage. This connection sparks honest discussions about the advantages and pressures of being a so-called “nepo baby.” Max candidly states,
“We did talk about it a little. He has a similar understanding of it that I have, which is that we’d be lying if we said our families didn’t pique people’s interest and that gives us an advantage. On the other hand, it might get our foot in the door but I’d also be lying if I didn’t say that if you go in there and do a bad job, they remember, and they don’t give you quite as much leniency as they do other people.”
“That’s fair enough, because if you do get your foot in the door a little bit easier, you do need to deliver that little bit more,”
Max adds, emphasizing his gratitude for the opportunity despite early career difficulties due to dyslexia.
“I was always telling myself, ‘People will think you’re stupid and that you’re only there because your parents were really good. And one day very soon you’re going to be found out, and you’ll be in trouble because you haven’t got any other skills’. These days, I try not to think about it, because it’s out of my control and it’s out of Hero’s control. We can’t change it. So why bother worrying about it?”
Young Sherlock Set to Premiere on Amazon Prime Video
Young Sherlock premieres on Amazon Prime Video on March 4. This fresh take on the early life of Sherlock Holmes promises suspense and depth, enriched by the real-life family ties between its leading actors. As Hero Fiennes Tiffin steps into the legendary detective’s shoes, audiences can look forward to a portrayal infused with originality and passion, supported by a talented cast including his uncle Joseph Fiennes and Max Irons.
The series marks a significant addition to Sherlock Holmes lore, exploring complex family dynamics and the detective’s formative encounters. With Guy Ritchie’s direction and strong performances steeped in genuine relationships, Young Sherlock aims to captivate both longtime fans and new audiences.
