What if Sherlock and Moriarty were BFFs? ‘Young Sherlock’ explores how a friendship unravels

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The new Prime Video series, “Young Sherlock,” offers a fresh take on the famous Sherlock Holmes story. Instead of enemies, the show depicts a surprising friendship between Holmes and his future rival, James Moriarty, during Holmes’s time as a student at Oxford. The series begins with a murder investigation and focuses on the developing relationship between the two characters, brought to life by actors Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Dónal Finn, who share a captivating on-screen chemistry.

Showrunner Matthew Parkhill was drawn to the character of Moriarty because he’s such a famous villain. Guy Ritchie, the director and executive producer, brought Parkhill on board to develop a show exploring how Sherlock Holmes became the detective fans adore.

Parkhill explains, speaking from London’s Rosewood Hotel in late February, that while the character appears in four books, he’s only actually in one of them. He wonders why these characters are such strong enemies, suggesting that intense rivalries often stem from failed friendships. The core of the story, he says, will be about how an amazing friendship falls apart.

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I was really fascinated to hear how they cast the new Sherlock! Apparently, Nicholas Galitzine auditioned while he was actually on vacation in Thailand – talk about dedication! The director, Steve Parkhill, said Nicholas brought this amazing sense of innocence and wonder to the role, which is cool because this version of Sherlock is only 19. They did a lot of chemistry reads with different actors for Moriarty, and Finn Bobak-Cook was one of the last ones Parkhill saw. But even after watching so many, Parkhill was instantly drawn to Finn’s charisma and intensity – he just had that something special.

Parkhill noticed an immediate connection and chemistry between them. He describes them as two sides of the same coin, and hopes to explore why they made different life choices if the story continues. He notes that Dónal possessed both a captivating charm and a hint of darkness.

Both actors immediately sensed the competition. Tiffin, 28, explained that when Dónal arrived, he knew he had to perform at his best. He didn’t want to be outdone. Speaking with Finn later at the Rosewood, Tiffin added that once filming began, they worked together seamlessly. It wasn’t about trying to one-up each other, but about collaborating to achieve the best possible result.

According to Finn, 30, the most compelling moments of the show happened when the two actors were equally matched, pushing each other to perform at their best. He describes it like an ‘unstoppable force meeting an immovable object,’ where both performers elevated each other’s work.

The new show, “Young Sherlock,” takes inspiration from Andrew Lane’s book series of the same name, but isn’t a direct adaptation. While director Guy Ritchie returns to the Sherlock Holmes universe, this series isn’t connected to his earlier films starring Robert Downey Jr.; it’s not a prequel to those movies.

Parkhill agrees this feels like a completely new show. While it shares a similar vibe to his earlier work, he emphasizes that the director has evolved and is now focused on different themes. However, the team aimed to maintain the same playful and unconventional spirit.

He explained that his main focus was understanding the character’s motivations: What turned him into the person he is? The character is at a point in his life where he’s figuring out who he is and where he belongs, making it a compelling time to delve into his story.

The series begins with a look back at Sherlock’s youth, showing the tragic death of his sister, Beatrice. This loss deeply affected his family – his mother, Cordelia (Natascha McElhone), is in a mental institution, and his father, Silas (Joseph Fiennes), has disappeared. Sherlock is in prison, but his brother Mycroft (Max Irons), a government employee, uses his influence to secure his release. Sherlock then takes a job as a servant at Oxford University, where he encounters Moriarty. Together, they investigate a murder involving Princess Gulun Shou’an (Zine Tseng), a case that quickly becomes much more complicated than it initially seems.

As a movie fan, what I really appreciate about a good mystery is finding that sweet spot in the plot – it needs to be easy enough to follow along, but still have enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. That’s exactly what we’ve got here, and I’ve got a lot of respect for Matthew for pulling that off. He also did a fantastic job making sure every character felt important and contributed to the story.

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Silas, Sherlock’s father, is a character who isn’t introduced until late in the fourth episode. The show’s creators, wanting to cast someone with a family connection to another actor, asked Ralph Fiennes – who is Barnaby Tiffin’s uncle – to take on the role.

In a recent interview, Ralph Fiennes initially worried that working with his family members on a project might feel forced or like a publicity stunt. However, he quickly realized it felt completely genuine. He described it as a special opportunity, explaining that actors usually spend a lot of time trying to build believable family dynamics, but in this case, that connection already existed, making the work feel natural from the start.

Though Tiffin and Fiennes hadn’t worked together before, they quickly established a strong working relationship when Fiennes joined the production in Wales a few months in. Episode 5, which explores Sherlock’s complex relationship with his father and their shared past, truly felt like a collaborative effort.

After filming for four months, I was feeling confident, but that changed when Joe arrived on set, and I became self-conscious again. I wish I could say it was just acting, but my real-life feelings towards Joe definitely came through. It actually works well for the story, though, because Silas hasn’t been around Sherlock for a long time, and Sherlock is eager to make a good impression on him.

Tiffin describes a profound, almost indescribable connection with his uncle. He explains that seeing his uncle in Episode 4 felt deeply personal, recalling the feeling of welcoming him into his childhood home for dinner when he was a young boy.

Guy Ritchie directed the first couple of episodes, and while others took over directing after that, his distinctive style is still evident throughout the show. Although the series is set in the 1870s, it feels modern, particularly thanks to its use of contemporary music. It’s fast-paced and action-packed, similar to Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” movies, but this version of Sherlock is just starting out. When we first see him, he’s not yet a skilled detective and hasn’t learned how to fight.

Tiffin recalls being a big fan of Robert Downey Jr., particularly in Guy Ritchie’s films. He says it was therefore unexpected to discover his own Sherlock Holmes character would be physically weak and unable to defend himself.

However, Moriarty is a much more skilled fighter and actually teaches Sherlock self-defense. Finn particularly enjoyed collaborating with Ritchie, known for choreographing impressive fight sequences.

Finn explains that while the fight scenes are excellent, the director understands audiences are used to seeing them frequently. He strives to make each one stand out by adding humor or using unexpected filming techniques.

Tiffin also points out that these conflicts aren’t simple. Every fight reveals something deeper about the characters involved; it’s rarely just a physical or verbal clash between two people.

Tiffin researched previous depictions of Sherlock Holmes, including both the original stories and earlier adaptations. Before filming, he even visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London. While inspired by Robert Downey Jr.’s performance, Tiffin aimed to create a unique interpretation of the character.

We really focused on establishing our characters as the early versions of the ones readers know from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories,” he explains. “They needed to be recognizable, but with potential for development. Our Sherlock hasn’t faced much adversity yet, so he’s still very energetic. If the show continues, we’ll see him become more world-weary and lose some of that youthful spark.

Moriarty hasn’t appeared in as many films as some other characters, but Andrew Scott’s portrayal in the BBC’s Sherlock series (with Benedict Cumberbatch) is well-known. In fact, Finn kept a photo of Scott up in his dorm room while studying drama.

Finn explains that while it’s natural to take inspiration from past work, it’s important to know when to stop and create something new. They’re not simply revisiting old characters, but exploring the experiences and decisions that made them who they are, allowing them to fully develop their personalities and stories.

The series includes subtle references to the original Sherlock Holmes stories. For example, viewers see Sherlock acquire his signature hat, only for his nemesis, Moriarty, to dismiss it. Interestingly, many of Sherlock’s well-known phrases are first delivered by Moriarty, who consistently asserts his status as Sherlock’s equal, not a mere assistant.

Finn explains that the characters share significant interactions that subtly change them. He adds that longtime Sherlock Holmes fans will likely pick up on these moments.

“Planting those seeds – exploring the connections within the story – is really enjoyable,” Tiffin explains. “It’s not just a fun puzzle; it gives you a fresh perspective on Conan Doyle’s writing and adds depth to it. The rivalry between Moriarty and Sherlock feels even more powerful when you realize they used to be friends.”

Although we see hints of the rivalry to come, Sherlock and Moriarty are mostly close friends throughout this story. For the actor Ralph Fiennes, this friendship, along with the bond between Sherlock and Silas, is central to the narrative.

Fiennes describes the two main characters as brilliant but socially awkward individuals who don’t quite fit in. He notes that despite attending Oxford, a center of learning, they lack a spiritual side, and possess a lively, rebellious spirit that makes them appealing. He suggests this spirited nature ultimately leads to their downfall and foreshadows their future development as characters.

Finn explains that both characters are searching for a genuine connection, which is what makes their friendship so meaningful. It’s unusual for either of them to meet someone they connect with on an intellectual level. This adds complexity to their rivalry, suggesting it might stem from personal pain like revenge, heartbreak, or betrayal, rather than simply differing beliefs.

The creator of “Young Sherlock” has ideas for several more seasons. The current season ends with a suspenseful cliffhanger that could lead to a new case. Ultimately, the plan is to bring the show up to the events of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes novel, “A Study in Scarlet” (set in 1887), and then let the original stories take over.

Parkhill explains that the source book was incredibly liberating and essential to the creation of this series. While they considered existing stories, they preferred to use them as inspiration and a creative space, rather than adapting them directly.

Tiffin explains that while the characters are beginning to evolve into the versions originally created by Doyle, it’s important to show that development process. He feels his work won’t be truly complete until he reaches the established endpoint of the story – meeting John Watson at 221B Baker Street and fully realizing the character’s maturity, moving beyond the ‘young’ stage.

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2026-03-04 14:32