Taking on the role of Sherlock Holmes is no small task. The character, first created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th century, has been portrayed by countless actors across film and television, each bringing their own interpretation to one of literature’s most enduring figures. For actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, stepping into that legacy in Prime Video’s new show Young Sherlock came with a mix of excitement, disbelief, and an undeniable sense of responsibility.
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Becoming Young Sherlock
While Young Sherlock debuted on March 4, the work Hero put into the role started well before this. “When I first found out, it was shock and excitement and that surreal feeling of ‘I can’t believe this is happening,’” Fiennes Tiffin says. “But after that, the nerves kicked in a little bit.” The pressure wasn’t just professional — it was personal. As a lifelong fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and their many adaptations, the actor knew exactly how audiences might react if the portrayal didn’t feel authentic.
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“I’m a fan of Sherlock myself,” he explains. “So I knew that if someone else did it and didn’t do a good job, I’d probably be wagging my finger at them. That made me feel a responsibility to get it right.” Fortunately, Fiennes Tiffin entered the project feeling well prepared to carry that weight. Having grown up absorbing the character across different adaptations, he already had a strong sense of who Sherlock Holmes was — and who he could be in this new interpretation.
Working with the legendary Guy Ritchie
Adding to that confidence was the opportunity to collaborate once again with director Guy Ritchie. Known for his energetic storytelling style and fast-paced filmmaking process, Ritchie’s approach created an environment that felt both demanding and creatively liberating. “I love how Guy works,” Fiennes Tiffin says. “There’s a fun, collaborative, spontaneous freedom on set. You can have pages of dialogue handed to you two minutes before a scene, or he’ll suddenly want to turn the entire scene on its head.”
While that kind of unpredictability might intimidate some actors, Fiennes Tiffin found that it ultimately strengthened the work. “At first it can be daunting,” he admits. “But once you get used to it, it actually makes the whole experience more fun. And the scenes always improve because of it.”
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Preparing for the role of a lifetime
When it came to preparing for the role, Fiennes Tiffin took a surprisingly restrained approach. Instead of revisiting existing Sherlock Holmes films and television series for inspiration, he chose to rely primarily on the script and conversations with the show’s creative team. “I didn’t watch any other Sherlock adaptations during prep,” he explains. “I’d already absorbed so much growing up that I didn’t want to be overly influenced.”
One memorable part of his preparation, however, involved a visit to one of London’s most famous literary landmarks. “I went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street,” he says with a laugh. “They have this wall with pictures of all the actors who have played Sherlock. I remember standing there thinking — maybe one day I’ll be up there too.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the role, the weight of the character often followed him home after filming wrapped each day. “I’d go back to my apartment in Cardiff and struggle to sleep,” he admits. “I’d lie there staring at the ceiling thinking, ‘Should I have done that differently?’”
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The constant self-questioning never completely went away during production. But a conversation with his mother helped him reframe those feelings. “She said the moment you stop feeling nervous and questioning yourself is the moment you risk becoming complacent,” he recalls. “Those nerves are actually a good thing. They mean you care.”
That perspective allowed Fiennes Tiffin to embrace the pressure rather than fight it. “It’s tough, and you have to manage it,” he says. “But those nerves make sure you’re covering all your bases.” Now that filming is complete, that tension has given way to pride — and excitement for audiences to experience the series.
“I’m really proud of the work,” he says. “I’m relaxed now, and I can’t wait for people to see it.” For longtime fans of Sherlock Holmes, Fiennes Tiffin hopes the new series offers something both familiar and revealing. “I think audiences will feel like they understand the character more,” he explains. “Every interpretation shows Sherlock in a slightly different light, but this one hopefully adds context to who he is and why he’s the way he is.”
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Ultimately, though, the actor hopes viewers walk away feeling entertained — and eager for more. “To keep it simple,” he says with a smile, “I hope people enjoy it enough that we get to make a season two. Because I had so much fun on the first one, I’d love to do it again.”
