The legendary conflict between Sherlock Holmes and his greatest enemy, Professor James Moriarty, is getting a complete makeover. The upcoming Prime Video series Young Sherlock is flipping the script on one of literature’s most famous feuds. Instead of meeting as bitter adversaries, a teenage Sherlock and a young Moriarty will start as something unexpected: friends.
Dónal Finn, the Irish actor known for his role in The Wheel of Time, plays the young James Moriarty in the Guy Ritchie-directed series. In a recent interview featured in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, out Tuesday 24 February, Finn opened up about this fresh interpretation of the iconic character and his connection to a 19-year-old Sherlock .
A “Form of Love” Between Future Enemies
Finn’s comments offer a deep dive into the psychology of the show. He suggests that the bond between Sherlock and Moriarty is unlike anything seen in previous adaptations. According to the actor, the series explores a complex dynamic that goes beyond simple friendship.
Dónal Finn described the relationship as a unique “form of love” between two brilliant individuals who finally meet someone that can match their intellect . This idea sets the stage for a much more tragic fall when their paths eventually diverge. Instead of a random villain appearing to challenge the hero, Young Sherlock promises to show how Holmes’s greatest threat might have once been his closest ally.
This concept aligns with what showrunner Matthew Parkhill previously told Entertainment Weekly. Parkhill explained his thought process behind the creative decision, saying he always wondered how the two became such mortal enemies. The showrunner imagined what it would be like if they had an incredible friendship first, giving the audience two origin stories in one.
Setting the Stage: Oxford in the 1870s
The series, which premieres on March 4, 2026, on Prime Video, is set in 1870s Oxford . Hero Fiennes Tiffin (known for the After film series) stars as a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes. This version of the detective is far from the calm, composed figure living at 221B Baker Street. Descriptions call him a “disgraced,” “raw,” “unfiltered,” and “anarchic adolescent” who is still finding his way .
The official synopsis reveals that Sherlock finds himself dragged into a murder investigation that threatens his liberty after meeting Moriarty. What starts as a local case soon unravels into a “globe-trotting conspiracy” that leads to an explosive showdown, forever altering the course of his life .
For fans of Guy Ritchie’s previous work, the style will feel familiar. Ritchie, who directed the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes films, brings the same “wit and charm” to this series, blending high-octane action with the intellectual twists of a mystery . He directed the first two episodes of the eight-episode season .
Reimagining the Rivalry
The decision to make Holmes and Moriarty college friends is a major shift from the source material. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories, Moriarty is introduced late in the series as a shadowy puppet master, the “Napoleon of Crime.” There was no backstory of a shared youth or friendship.
By placing them together at Oxford, Young Sherlock creates a new kind of tension. Viewers will get to see two geniuses develop their methods side-by-side. They will share ideas, challenge each other, and likely learn each other’s weaknesses. This shared history explains why, in the future, Moriarty is the only man Sherlock considers his intellectual equal.
As the show positions them as temporary partners, the drama shifts from “who is the bad guy?” to “what went wrong?” This approach allows the series to explore themes of betrayal and how close relationships can sometimes breed the deepest hatred.
A Stellar Cast Brings Victorian England to Life
Beyond Finn and Tiffin, the series boasts an impressive ensemble. In a bit of interesting family casting, Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) plays Sherlock’s father, Silas Holmes. He is Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s real-life uncle .
Natascha McElhone (Halo) takes on the role of Sherlock’s mother, Cordelia. Max Irons (Condor) plays Sherlock’s older brother, Mycroft, who is described as stuffy but formidable . Oscar winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) joins the cast as Sir Bucephalus Hodge, a mysterious figure shrouded in the secrets of Victorian society . Zine Tseng (3 Body Problem) also stars, playing a character who challenges the young detective .
The production, filmed across the UK and Spain, aims to create a “vibrant Victorian England” that feels fresh and immersive . With showrunner Matthew Parkhill at the helm, the series promises to balance historical detail with modern, fast-paced storytelling .
All eight episodes of Young Sherlock will be available to stream on Prime Video starting March 4, 2026, in over 240 countries and territories . Fans can expect an action-packed origin story that redefines how we see the young detective and the man who would become his greatest foe.
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