On the set of the Amazon Prime Video series Young Sherlock, Hero Fiennes Tiffin experienced pressure to prove his acting skills to his uncle, Joseph Fiennes, who co-stars alongside him. The series, released in 2026 and directed by Guy Ritchie, features Hero playing a youthful version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Hero, 28, found the task daunting as Joseph, 55, portrays Silas Holmes, his character’s father. The presence of his uncle on set stirred a mixture of nerves and self-doubt for Hero as he questioned if his performance met expectations.
Feeling Like the Underdog Despite Family Ties
Hero described experiencing “imposter syndrome” at the start of the production, explaining that the large role initially felt overwhelming. He shared,
“At the start of any show, I’ve got a bit of imposter syndrome. I’m like, ‘Why are they trusting me to do this? It’s a massive role.’ The word daunting is definitely one I’d use.”
He revealed how Joseph’s arrival on set renewed his anxieties about his performance.
“And then you get those nerves out the way, and you really start to enjoy it. And then Joe comes in, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m back to the bottom. I’ve got to prove to him that I can do it.’ And I’m like, ‘S***, I really hope he thinks I’m good,’”
Hero admitted.
Supportive Family Dynamics on Set
Despite his worries, Hero acknowledged the encouragement from Joseph during filming. He described Joseph as “super supportive” and valued their shared scenes.
“I love doing all the scenes I did with him,”
Hero said, highlighting the positive family connection during production.
Looking ahead, Hero expressed his desire to work with another uncle, Ralph Fiennes, 63, promising to bring a collaborative presence to future projects. He shared,
“I’ve always loved the idea of working with both of them,”
signaling his admiration for his family’s acting legacy.
Balancing Family Legacy and Individual Identity
Hero’s role as young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince marked a previous connection to Ralph Fiennes’ famous character, Lord Voldemort, although the two did not share scenes. Despite their shared profession, Hero has maintained a grounded view of his uncles.
He explained that growing up in a large family, their famous status was secondary to their familial roles.
“My mom’s one of seven, so I didn’t really see Joe and Ralph too, too much. To me, they were always Uncle Joe and Uncle Ralph. They weren’t, like, Uncle Joe and Uncle Ralph, the famous actors,”
Hero reflected. He added humorously,
“When I would tell friends a story about one of my other uncles, I’d have to be like, ‘So my uncle – not one of the famous ones.’”
Appreciation for Opportunities in Acting
Hero credits his parents—his mother Martha Fiennes, a filmmaker, and his father George Tiffin, a cinematographer—for his entry into the entertainment world. However, he initially resisted following in their footsteps, viewing acting with youthful skepticism.
He shared,
“I’m lucky that my family’s in the industry, and I very much fell into it. My mom was just like, ‘Do this audition [for young Tom Riddle], you’ll get a day off school,’ and I was sold by the day off school way more than the prospect of being an actor.”
Reflecting on his changing perspective, Hero stated,
“If your parents do something, at least for me, I was like, I don’t want to [do that]. Especially when you’re young, you’re like, I don’t know if that’s very cool, to just do what my parents do.”
He concluded with gratitude for the chance to pursue acting:
“Then you get older, and you realise how lucky you are to have opportunities, and you give it a go, and you start to enjoy it.”
