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Young Sherlock

Young Sherlock is a British television mystery series set in the 1870s and centered on Sherlock Holmes as a teenager.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Young Sherlock is a British television mystery series set in the 1870s and centered on Sherlock Holmes as a teenager. It follows his first major case at Oxford University, where he becomes entangled in a murder investigation and a wider conspiracy. The series is inspired by Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes novels and stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock Holmes.

Premise

Young Sherlock follows a young Sherlock Holmes after he is released from jail and sent to Oxford. There, he is drawn into a murder case that leads to a broader conspiracy involving family secrets, academic intrigue, and international elements.

Cast

Hero Fiennes Tiffin leads the series as Sherlock Holmes. Reported supporting cast members include Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes, Zine Tseng as Gulun Shu, Natasha McElhone as Cordelia Holmes, Joseph Fiennes as Silas Holmes, and Dónal Finn as James Moriarty.

Release

The series premiered on Prime Video on March 4, 2026, with all eight episodes released at once.

Source material

The show is inspired by Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes novels, which are themselves based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes universe.

Key facts

  • The series depicts Sherlock Holmes as a 19-year-old student at Oxford who becomes involved in his first major case.
  • Its central plot involves a murder investigation that expands into a larger international conspiracy.
  • Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Sherlock Holmes.
  • Max Irons plays Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother.
  • The first season consists of eight episodes.
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Canadian context

The series is part of the international Sherlock Holmes franchise and is available through Prime Video, which is accessible to Canadian viewers where offered.

Frequently asked questions

What is Young Sherlock about?
It follows a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes at Oxford University as he investigates his first major murder case, which develops into a larger conspiracy.
Who plays Young Sherlock?
Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Sherlock Holmes.
Who is in the Young Sherlock cast?
Reported cast members include Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Max Irons, Zine Tseng, Natasha McElhone, Joseph Fiennes, Dónal Finn, and Colin Firth.
What is the Young Sherlock release date?
Young Sherlock premiered on March 4, 2026, on Prime Video.
Is Young Sherlock a series?
Yes. It is a television series with eight episodes in its first season.
What Young Sherlock books is it based on?
It is inspired by Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes novels, a young-adult book series set in Sherlock Holmes’s early life.

References

  1. The Killing Timeshttps://thekillingtimestv.wordpress.com/2026/03/06/series-review-young-sherlock/
    Supports: Premise, cast, and setting; identifies Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Max Irons, Zine Tseng, Natasha McElhone, Joseph Fiennes, and Dónal Finn.
  2. The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/young-sherlock-review-guy-ritchie-amazon-1236519877/
    Supports: Series premise, eight-episode season, and adaptation from Andrew Lane’s novels.
  3. TV Guidehttps://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/young-sherlock/1060524871/
    Supports: Series premise, 1870s Oxford setting, and origin-story framing.
  4. Times of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/english/young-sherlock-all-about-the-cast-plot-and-where-to-watch-a-complete-guide/photostory/129075813.cms
    Supports: Cast, plot, inspiration from Andrew Lane’s novel, and March 4, 2026 release date.
  5. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/arts/television/young-sherlock.html
    Supports: Premiere timing and adaptation context.
  6. Varietyhttps://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/young-sherlock-review-prime-video-1236674654/
    Supports: Release date, setting, and lead casting.
  7. Wikipédiahttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sherlock
    Supports: Synopsis, creator context, and lead cast; used cautiously as secondary support.
  8. IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/young-sherlock-amazon-prime-video-review
    Supports: Adaptation from Andrew Lane book series and premiere date.