The Sherlock Holmes universe expands once again with a new adaptation focusing on the detective’s youth. Young Sherlock explores the legendary detective as his brilliant mind is still taking shape and he encounters his first major mysteries.
The series’ lead actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, director Guy Ritchie, and Dónal Finn, who plays Moriarty, discuss how Young Sherlock approaches Sherlock mythology, the origins of its characters, and the process of rebuilding this iconic universe.
Guy Ritchie begins by explaining why Sherlock Holmes adaptations continue to attract so much attention: “The thing about the principle of Sherlock Holmes is it never gets tiring. Having spent a quite a long time in this world, it just doesn’t tiring. You have a perfect composition of an intellectual action star. So, I can’t think what other character in the history of cinema and literature occupies that space quite the same way. So it could constantly reinvent itself. That’s really the secret source of Sherlock. Particularly on this one ’cause this is the origin story. I’m not sure if anyone went near the origin story before.”
The director also explains what he looks for when creating a new Sherlock adaptation: “There has to be something you haven’t seen before. So I hope there are certain unique selling points in this one.”
Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who plays the young Sherlock, says he has admired the character since childhood but never expected to portray the famous detective himself: “It is just an honor and a privilege. It’s an unknown dream come true.”
Tiffin notes that origin stories are naturally compelling and adds about playing a younger version of the character: “The audiences won’t get bored of this character but I think it’s always worth trying to add a little something different.”
He also jokes that Young Sherlock may expand viewers’ vocabulary: “Guy gave us a lot of lines I had to Google the meaning of the words.”
Dónal Finn, who portrays a young Moriarty, explains that the two characters are actually close friends in the series. But, he adds, “If you are familiar with the Sherlock Holmes lore (you might say), ‘I know how this thing may have to end at some point.'” He compares watching their friendship unfold to watching Titanic.
Finn also reveals that the actors were encouraged to look at the dynamic between Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as inspiration for the characters’ bond. He says it was a great pleasure to draw on that friendship. Finn also notes that playing an Irish character felt particularly meaningful at a time when the Irish people are going through difficult days.
Speaking about the dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty, he says: “The wit. It’s table tennis between them all the time. Mental table tennis.”
To get into character, Finn listened to music such as “Liberty Bell” by Fontaines D.C. and “The Rocky Road to Dublin” by Lankum, adding that listening to music from the era brought a playful, mischievous energy to their days on set of Young Sherlock.
Young Sherlock is now streaming on Prime Video.
