Sherlock Holmes: Unlocking the legend’s origins

When it comes to reinventions, few characters have been reimagined as frequently — or as boldly — as Sherlock Holmes. Yet, for Matthew Parkhill, the showrunner behind Prime Video’s highly anticipated series Young Sherlock, there remained an untapped corner of the detective’s story: His youth.

Set to debut all eight episodes on 4 March, in over 240 countries and territories worldwide, Young Sherlock is a high-octane mystery series from visionary director Guy Ritchie. Unlike previous adaptations, which often feature an already fully-formed detective, this series charts the formative years of the world’s greatest sleuth.

Sherlock, brimming with intellect yet tinged with awkwardness and youthful naivety, is drawn into his first major case alongside none other than James Moriarty. The investigation spirals into a globe-spanning conspiracy, testing his ingenuity and laying the foundation for the legendary rivalry — and uneasy bond — that fans know will define his later life.

Untouched story of youth

In DAILY TRIBUNE’s exclusive conversation with Parkhill, it became clear that what excited him most about Young Sherlock was exploring what he called “the Sherlock before Sherlock.” 

While Sherlock’s adult persona — cerebral, socially awkward and notoriously isolated — is iconic, the early life of the detective has rarely been examined in depth. 

“I was fascinated by what brought him to that point,” Parkhill explains. “Was he a bit of a live wire? Did he get into trouble? That sense of untamed potential was really untouched territory for me.”

Parkhill also delved into the character’s formative relationships, particularly the dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty. Unlike the purely adversarial encounters familiar from Arthur Conan Doyle’s works, Young Sherlock imagines a friendship between the two before their fateful rivalry. “Sometimes great friendships contain the seeds of tragedy,” Parkhill notes. “I loved the idea of exploring how they could be inseparable companions before fate and circumstance turned them into enemies.”

Casting the young detective

Central to bringing this vision to life was casting the right actor. Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who Parkhill describes as having a natural sense of wonder reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, became the embodiment of youthful Sherlock. 

“He brings intelligence and curiosity, but also this odd, magical quality,” Parkhill says. “Once I saw Hero in that Zoom call from his holiday in Thailand, it was hard to imagine anyone else.”

The supporting cast further anchors the series, featuring Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons and Colin Firth. Ritchie directs the first two episodes while executive producers, including Parkhill, Dhana Rivera Gilbert and Simon Maxwell, shape the series’ overarching narrative.

Friendship, family, formative forces

Beyond the detective plotlines, the show examines the influences that shaped Sherlock. Parkhill points to family as a critical theme: the series explores a complex, at times dysfunctional household that leaves an indelible mark on his personality. “The show takes you back to the home he grew up in,” Parkhill says. “It’s a lens into how family can mold who we become.”

Equally central is friendship, particularly the bond between Sherlock and Moriarty. Parkhill likens their youthful camaraderie to the playful mischief of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: magnetic, unpredictable and brimming with tension. “The friendship is the heart of the show,” he says. “You want it to last forever, even though you know it won’t.”

Welcoming a new generation

For Parkhill, the creative process itself has been as fulfilling as the final product. Filming took place over seven months across locations from Cardiff and Bristol to Oxford and Spain, forging a collaborative atmosphere he likens to joining a circus. 

“It’s intense, it’s immersive and it’s family-like,” he says. A screening of the first two episodes before the cast and crew cemented that sense of accomplishment: “Seeing everyone so proud of what they had created, that was incredibly rewarding.”

Above all, Parkhill hopes Young Sherlock captures the imagination of viewers both familiar and new. “I want people to have that feeling you get at Saturday night movies with the family,” he explains. “It’s fun, it’s thrilling, it’s charming and it’s something you can experience together.”

As for whether this young detective would tackle a mystery in Manila, Parkhill is all for it. “Give me the mysteries of Manila, and Sherlock will solve them,” he says with a laugh, hinting that the adventures of Holmes are only just beginning.

Young Sherlock arrives 4 March exclusively on Prime Video.