I have never read any of the Sherlock Holmes books. Still, I’ve watched the RDJ films and the Benedict Cumberbatch series, and both were such great experiences that stepping into Young Sherlock came with pretty high expectations.
Starring in Prime Video’s take on Young Sherlock, directed by Guy Ritchie, Hero Fiennes Tiffin had seriously big shoes to fill, not only because of the iconic portrayals that came before him, but also because of the weight of the source material itself. And guess what? He actually did!
The storyline begins with a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes who finds himself entangled in a murder at Oxford that threatens his freedom. His first case pulls him into uncovering something that ultimately changes the course of his life forever.
I won’t reveal too much of the plot, but overall, it’s a very strong and engaging story. Each episode feels like its own mini-mystery, around an hour long, slowly building toward the larger case in the finale.
Hero was incredible in his portrayal of the beloved detective. This show explores the very early beginnings of Sherlock, building the foundation of what eventually becomes such a major part of his life, and Hero captures that transformation so naturally.
The quirks, the tendencies, the unique way of speaking, walking, thinking, everything felt so intentional and so well executed. He was fully immersed in the role, and it shows in every scene.
Even the smallest details, how he adjusts his hat, how he drifts into his own mind while analysing a case, felt authentic and spectacular to watch.
We haven’t really seen much of a youthful Sherlock on screen before, and this series fills that gap beautifully. It gives us a version of him that is still brilliant, but also reckless, emotional, and still figuring himself out.
I also liked when the show takes us inside Sherlock’s mind while he’s analysing clues. Those sequences were so engaging and added a uniqueness to the storytelling.
And of course, we can’t talk about Sherlock Holmes without mentioning James Moriarty.
Just as the show explores Sherlock’s beginnings, it also shows us the evolution of his relationship with Moriarty.
What starts as a brilliant, intellectual friendship slowly hints at something darker. By the end, you can already sense the beginning of Moriarty’s villain arc.
Donal Finn plays him with so much charm and wit, it’s impossible not to like him, even knowing what he might become. He is a standout character and balances Sherlock perfectly. They’re both incredibly intelligent, but in very different ways, and that dynamic makes their bond so compelling.
One of my favourite parts of the show was Shou’an’s storyline. It was so powerful. Her love for her family drives her to become an avenger, a warrior. Her journey, meeting Sherlock, seeking revenge, and eventually returning home, was emotional and layered.
She’s been through so much, and despite being a fighter, even a killer, she still holds onto her humanity.
That contrast really stood out to me, especially when compared to moments like Moriarty killing for the first time and actually feeling good about it, definite villain potential there.
Silas Holmes is absolutely the worst. A terrible father figure and an even worse human being. The level of selfishness, the obsession with profit, is full narcissistic behaviour. He destroys his family, puts his wife in an asylum, abandons his son, and gets rid of his daughter, all for wealth. Genuinely awful. Worst parent award, no contest.
Cordelia Holmes is such a soft and tragic presence. She is this gentle, almost fragile mother figure, and you can already see glimpses of her in Sherlock himself, which adds a really touching layer to his character.
Mycroft Holmes is exactly what you’d expect from the eldest sibling, holding everything together despite carrying his own burdens. He’s constantly fixing things, managing chaos, and doing it all in that composed, intelligent, proper way. You can tell how much pressure he’s under, even if he rarely shows it.
And Bea, Beatrice Holmes, wow. That twist in episode 7 completely caught me off guard. I genuinely did not see it coming at all, and it was so well done.
The deception, the lies, the intelligence, the emotional depth, the trauma, and the genuinely incredible performances across the board make this show a strong recommendation.
I also loved the episode titles, which added a nice, creative touch. I don’t know if anyone else pays attention to them, especially since they can be missed when you’re binge-watching, but I do!
The intro music for each episode is incredibly catchy and fitting. I genuinely loved the artwork and sound.
If you enjoy murder mysteries, crime stories, and layered character relationships with a focus on family dynamics, this is absolutely worth watching.
And if you liked shows like Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials or The Residence, you’ll definitely love this one.
