Young Sherlock Director: Peter Harness, Matthew Parkhill and Guy Ritchie Genre: Comedy Actors and actresses: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn Nationality: UK Release date: 04 March 2026
If the character of Sherlock Holmes has been adapted many times for the cinema – notably by Guy Ritchie with Robert Downey Jr in the lead role – and for television – we remember the 4 seasons of the famous detective’s adventures with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role – and if the character of the detective’s sister Enola Holmes has also been feminized, little had yet been done to tell the genesis of the character. We can therefore only rejoice to see Guy Ritchie venture in this direction with Young Sherlock, available since March 2026 on Amazon Prime.
Nineteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is sent to Oxford University by his brother Mycroft to redeem himself after being imprisoned for theft for several months. Despite his noble origins, he is hired as a servant there. When a murder strikes the city of Oxford, the young man sets out to solve his first mystery. Despite his inexperience, he embarks on an investigation that reveals a much larger crime at the heart of an international conspiracy.
Moriarty, character to follow?
If the first episodes too blatantly reveal the director’s penchant for pizzazz, sleight of hand, and everything that glitters, the script, as a whole, is in line with what we expect from a detective’s investigation. Of course, it does not reach the brilliance of the series with Benedict Cumberbatch, but the various twists and turns provide viewers with a varied and entertaining spectacle, and the director knows how to maintain suspense until the very last second. In addition, he introduces the character of James Moriarty, nemesis of Sherlock Holmes but still a friend during his youth, a character interpreted in a breathtaking manner by Dónal Finn, who would almost overshadow the main protagonist given the depth and interest in the psychology of this Holmes antagonist. A James Moriarty whose journey to becoming an evil genius would be fascinating to know.
Visually Guy Ritchie
Visually, viewers will refer to the director’s two aforementioned films, finding similarities. Although the plot falls short of the author’s potential, the viewer will still not be disappointed in this excellent entertainment, especially as they will have the pleasure of seeing other recurring characters from the saga like Moriarty, Lestrade, or Mycroft.
