Young Sherlock star reveals how his version of the iconic detective is most different from any other we’ve seen before

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You can now stream all eight episodes of the new Sherlock Holmes origin story, Young Sherlock, on Prime Video. The series lets viewers see how Hero Fiennes Tiffin portrays the iconic detective compared to other actors who’ve played the role.

The famous detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle has been portrayed by numerous actors over the years, including Basil Rathbone, Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny Lee Miller, Ian McKellen, Henry Cavill, and David Thewlis, to name just a few.

Fiennes Tiffin’s portrayal of the character is notably younger than past versions, but he also brings a greater sense of emotional openness and vulnerability – a deliberate choice he made from the beginning.

In a recent interview with TopMob, while sitting with his uncle and co-star Joseph, Fiennes Tiffin explained that much of his character’s backstory was already written in the script. He believes that if a character’s origins are explored, it’s important to show their development and how they changed over time.

However, it’s crucial that the character’s initial portrayal is close enough to the final version we all know and love, so the audience believes the transformation will happen believably.

You’re absolutely right to point out that, early on, our priority was establishing the character in a way that hinted at his future as Sherlock Holmes, while still allowing him space to develop and justifying the need to explore his backstory.

He went on to explain that the show diverges from the original stories in some ways. For instance, in Arthur Conan Doyle’s books, the character is quite capable of defending himself, but when we first see him in our adaptation, he’s clearly not.

I really wanted to make sure my portrayal of Sherlock had a youthful energy and optimism. The Sherlock created by Arthur Conan Doyle, especially at this stage in his life, tends to be more cynical and emotionally reserved.

I think many people can relate to the idea that when you go through tough times, your initial optimism and willingness to see the good in things gradually fades. I’ve really enjoyed showing that change happening in Sherlock as his character develops.

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Matthew Parkhill developed the ‘Young Sherlock’ series, but Guy Ritchie – who previously directed two Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey Jr. – is also an executive producer and director on the show.

Parkhill recently clarified that the series isn’t a prequel to Guy Ritchie’s earlier movies. He mentioned they briefly discussed the possibility, but it was never seriously considered.

Don’t miss Young Sherlock! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a major international TV production company. He holds a BA in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-03-05 15:38