Highlights
- Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s origin series
- Joseph Fiennes plays his on-screen father, Silas Holmes
- Marks the first time the nephew and uncle have worked together
- Series premieres 4 March on Prime Video
A first collaboration within the Fiennes family
It became a family affair on the set of Young Sherlock, with Hero Fiennes Tiffin taking on the role of a young Sherlock Holmes opposite his uncle Joseph Fiennes, who plays Silas Holmes.
The series, created under the direction of Guy Ritchie, traces the early life of the famed detective. For Hero, 28, it marked the first time working alongside Joseph, 55, despite long hoping for the opportunity.
He described the pairing as fitting, given the father and son dynamic on screen, though admitted it brought added pressure. Taking on Sherlock Holmes was already a weighty responsibility, he said, and having a close family member present heightened his nerves at the start of filming.
Nerves that mirrored the script
Hero spoke candidly about battling self-doubt early in production, questioning whether he was ready for such a significant part. Those nerves resurfaced when Joseph joined the shoot, with Hero keen to prove himself in front of his uncle.
Yet he said the experience proved constructive. Joseph was supportive throughout, and Hero appreciated having time to settle into the role before their shared scenes began. In some respects, he felt his apprehension complemented the story itself, as Sherlock’s relationship with his father carries its own tension. Any unease, he noted, could easily feed into the performance.
Following in notable footsteps
Joseph is one of several high-profile figures in Hero’s extended family. His mother, Martha Fiennes, is one of six siblings, including actor Ralph Fiennes. Hero has previously portrayed a younger version of Ralph’s character in the Harry Potter films, though they did not share scenes.
Growing up, he has said, his uncles were simply “Uncle Joe” and “Uncle Ralph” at home, despite their established careers. Still, he recognises the expectations that come with the surname and hopes to collaborate with Ralph in the future.
An origin story with global stakes
Young Sherlock is billed as an action-led mystery exploring how an impulsive, sharp-minded teenager becomes the detective later associated with Baker Street. The story follows Sherlock’s first major case, drawing him into a murder investigation and a wider conspiracy that stretches beyond Victorian England.
The ensemble cast also includes Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons and Colin Firth.
The series launches on 4 March on Prime Video.
