Guy Ritchie’s Prime Video Detective Series Outshines His Movies

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Guy Ritchie’s latest series on Prime Video is a hit, and many viewers feel it surpasses his previous films. It’s a detective show featuring memorable characters, drawing inspiration from classic Sherlock Holmes stories and characters, and stands among the best in the genre.

Sherlock Holmes has been reimagined in countless ways over the years. Director Guy Ritchie is known for his successful film adaptations, including Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. While a third film has been discussed for a long time, there haven’t been any recent updates suggesting it’s in active production.

Despite moving on to other projects, Guy Ritchie hasn’t completely abandoned the world of Sherlock Holmes. He created the 2026 mystery series Young Sherlock, which is based on the books by Andrew Lane. The show has become a hit on Prime Video, and many viewers actually prefer it to Ritchieā€™s Sherlock Holmes films.

After Years Of Wanting Sherlock Holmes 3, Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Series Scratches The Itch

The movie Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows left viewers wondering what would happen next after Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his enemy, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), seemingly fell to their deaths at Reichenbach Falls. Later, Watson (Jude Law) receives a mysterious package that must be from Holmes. When Watson steps away, it’s revealed that Holmes had been secretly hiding in Watsonā€™s studio all along.

A third Sherlock Holmes film was initially planned in 2011, but getting it made has proven difficult. In 2013, Jude Law explained that the main obstacle was coordinating everyone’s schedules, though they remained optimistic about starting the movie soon.

Originally planned for release in 2020, Sherlock Holmes 3 faced several delays. The release was first moved to 2021, and then put on hold indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dexter Fletcher was set to direct the film in 2019, and as of 2023, Team Downey continues to consider it a key project.

Although a third Sherlock Holmes movie is still uncertain, Prime Videoā€™s Young Sherlock offers a similar experience. The series introduces a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) just after heā€™s released from prison for petty theft. He gets a job at Oxford University, where he meets and befriends James Moriarty (DĆ³nal Finn), a gifted student.

When Sherlock is falsely accused of killing an Oxford professor, he and his rival, Moriarty, team up to find the real killer and prove his innocence. Their investigation quickly spirals into a dangerous conspiracy, revealing shocking and long-hidden secrets about the Holmes family.

ā€œYoung Sherlockā€ delivers the same thrilling action that made the ā€œSherlock Holmesā€ movies so enjoyable. Whatā€™s especially fun is seeing a young, inexperienced Sherlock learn to fight with guidance from his future enemy, Moriarty. While not officially connected, the show feels like it could easily serve as a backstory to the films.

Young Sherlock Is A Better Adaptation Of The Books Than RDJ’s Movies

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films are highly entertaining, and Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic in the lead role. However, they don’t stick closely to the original stories. Ritchie’s movies emphasize action and portray Holmes as more of an action hero than the books do, sacrificing the character’s personal growth for spectacle.

The movies often highlight Holmes’ action and fighting abilities, but they don’t fully showcase his famous deduction skills, which are central to the original stories. While not an official prequel, the series Young Sherlock actually captures the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books more effectively.

While Young Sherlock includes plenty of action, the show primarily focuses on Holmes’s development. It portrays a remarkably intelligent, but still inexperienced, Holmes who is constantly learning ā€“ even from Moriarty, who will one day become his greatest enemy. Though naturally gifted, this young Holmes isn’t fully polished and needs to improve skills like fighting, often relying on the insights of Moriarty.

The Young Sherlock series delves into the detectiveā€™s personal growth, staying truer to the spirit of the original books. It also explores Holmesā€™ inner life, revealing the trauma, guilt, and sadness he carries due to the loss of his sister, Beatrice.

The series Young Sherlock builds upon the existing Sherlock Holmes story, filling in details about his youth and early life ā€“ something the original books never covered. It successfully expands his history without changing his core personality, even if it introduces new elements, like a sister, that arenā€™t found in the original stories.

Guy Ritchie’s Future With Sherlock Holmes Lies On The Small Screen

Despite producers saying a third Sherlock Holmes movie is important to them, its future is still unclear. There havenā€™t been any major updates on the project, making it difficult to say whether it will actually happen or if it will be canceled.

While another Sherlock Holmes film directed by Guy Ritchie would be fantastic, itā€™s been a long time since the last oneā€”15 years, in fact. Trying to continue the story right where it ended now would feel awkward. Luckily, the Young Sherlock series offers a fresh way to explore the adventures of the Great Detective.

Young Sherlock offers a fresh take on the classic stories, exploring new adventures with Holmes, Moriarty, and familiar characters while staying true to the core elements of the original canon, like the budding rivalry between Holmes and Moriarty. This version focuses on Holmes’s personal growth, offering a more intimate portrayal than many other adaptations that prioritize his detective skills.

As of today, Young Sherlock hasn’t been officially renewed for another season, but things are looking good. The first season ended in a way that naturally leads into a second, and it also hints at the introduction of the villain Moriarty. So, it really just needs the go-ahead from the network. The showā€™s popularity suggests a renewal is likely, and now itā€™s just a waiting game.

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2026-03-21 20:10