YOUNG SHERLOCK REVIEW – Reinventing the Wheel

Amazon MGM Studios is releasing all 8 episodes of Young Sherlock on Prime Video, and it brings a new modern energy to the classic and iconic character of Sherlock Holmes.

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Here are my thoughts on the newest interpretation of Sherlock Holmes.

Into the Story

Pulling from the Young Sherlock Holmes young adult book series by Andrew Lane, this is unlike any live-action Sherlock fans have seen before. In Young Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, who is played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, isn’t quite the sharp, polished detective fans are used to. This version shows him as a 19-year-old student at Oxford, where his curiosity often gets him into trouble thanks to a bit of youthful recklessness. The series also stars Dónal Finn as James Moriarty, Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes, and Ralph Fiennes as the Holmes brothers’ father, and Natascha McElhone as Cordelia Holmes.

What immediately grabs your attention is the fantastic chemistry between the characters, namely James Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes. There’s a young and energetic feeling to the show and the characters, although the classic cockiness of Sherlock is very much present.

But where did James and Sherlock’s friendship start? It actually happens when a murder takes place at Oxford, and takes the show by storm. What’s interesting about this version of Moriarty is that he doesn’t have that villainous tone that comes as a package deal with the character. While he’s clearly very intelligent, that doesn’t mean he’s new to breaking the rules or going against authority. This playful rule-breaker of a character works wonderfully off of Sherlock’s character, so much so that they become fast friends and Moriarty feels like apart of the Holmes family. But of course, the harder you fall, the harder the crash. When he eventually turns to the dark side, it hits harder than expected.

The murder at Oxford is what kicks off the the big mystery of the show, but the mystery expands to great lengths, which was done in a great pace in the 8 episodes. As the cast grows in numbers, with characters like Sherlocks family members or characters from the Holmes’ past, the show really starts to take off and you’ll find yourself quickly clicking to the next episode.

Trying Something Different

There’s quite a bit packed into the show, and the pacing is what sets it apart from the other live-action Sherlock Holmes projects. Like other Sherlock shows, usually it’s an episodic format, but this is one constant story from beginning to end. It’s not a “monster of the week” type of thing, which I feel worked extremely well for the show.

The pacing perfectly fits the story and brings a heightened energetic feeling to the show. What becomes very clear in the show is the style of Guy Richie that shows excellently in the show. Of course, with any Guy Ritchie project, it’s packed with splendid action scenes and quick-witted dialogue. The constant moving camera work that we all know and love is a classic Guy Ritchie move that makes you feel apart of the chaos.

Final Thoughts

While you may be asking yourself “another Sherlock Holmes project?”, I promise you it’s anything but. It’s very different from what we’ve seen before and Hero Fiennes Tiffin brings something new to the character. He’s not as cold or distant as Benedict Cumberbatch or as eager to fight as Robert Downey Jr.’s interpretation, but instead he’s very likeable immediately, and that doesn’t change as the show goes on. Hero Fiennes Tiffin takes on the role of Sherlock with all the poise you’d expect, but he smartly strips the character back to his roots. This interpretation feels naturally gifted and endlessly curious, full of sharp intelligence and surprises, yet still a little rough around the edges. He’s not totally in control of his emotions, and he’s clearly less seasoned when it comes to cracking the big mysteries. Paired with direction from Guy Ritchie and backed by a standout supporting cast, this is easily one of my favorite adaptations of this iconic character.

All in all, Young Sherlock feels like a smart, creative spin on a classic. It holds on to what I love about the original stories while confidently trying new things and reshaping the characters in very interesting ways. Guy Ritchie proves, yet again, that he’s the right man for the job when it comes to Sherlock Holmes. In the end, Young Sherlock really captured the essence of what makes Sherlock Holmes such a well-loved character while adding new factors that make the story and the characters feel fresh and new.

Be sure to check out the first season of Young Sherlock only on Prime Video starting March 4, 2026!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!

Let me know in the comments what you thought of Young Sherlock!