The legendary rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and Professor James Moriarty is one of the most famous in literary history. They are supposed to be enemies—the ultimate battle of good versus evil, brains versus brains. But the upcoming Prime Video series Young Sherlock is throwing that idea out the window. Instead of starting as foes, the young detective and his future nemesis begin as friends.
With the March 4 premiere date fast approaching, Dónal Finn, who takes on the role of a young James Moriarty, is sharing new details about this fresh and friendly dynamic with Sherlock, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The actor’s comments, along with recent interviews and exclusive clips released at IGN Fan Fest 2026, are giving fans a clear picture of what to expect from this action-packed origin story .
A Meeting of Minds at Oxford
Young Sherlock is not starting where other stories end. The series, directed by Guy Ritchie, follows a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes who is described as an “anarchic adolescent”—brilliant but rebellious and far from the polished detective living at 221B Baker Street . The story kicks off when he gets tangled in a murder investigation at Oxford University that threatens his own freedom.
It is during this chaotic time that he meets James Moriarty. According to the show’s creator, Matthew Parkhill, this meeting is the spark that ignites the legend of both men. Parkhill told Entertainment Weekly that he always wondered what it would be like if the two had started as friends. He explained that the show gives fans two origin stories for the price of one. If these two characters had never crossed paths, neither would have become the versions of themselves that the world eventually comes to know .
Dónal Finn on Playing Moriarty as a Friend
For Dónal Finn, who viewers might recognize from The Wheel of Time, stepping into the shoes of such an iconic character meant focusing on this unique starting point. He has addressed the “fresh friendly dynamic” directly, noting that the relationship is built on mutual respect and camaraderie at the beginning.
In a recent interview, Hero Fiennes Tiffin revealed just how impressive Finn was during the audition process. Tiffin admitted that when Finn walked in to read for the part, he thought to himself that he had better step up his game, or Finn would make him look bad. He praised Finn’s training and talent, calling him a “very, very gifted actor” .
The two actors spent a lot of time rehearsing together to build chemistry. They worked on small details, like making sure they would drink water at the same time or stand and sit in sync. The goal was to create a sense of unspoken understanding between the characters, proving they are a great pair . This attention to detail suggests that the friendship on screen will feel genuine, making the eventual turn to enmity much more impactful.
Inspired by Classic Buddy Movies
The creative team behind Young Sherlock is not hiding their influences. Matthew Parkhill has openly said that the dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty is inspired by the classic film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid . That movie is famous for its charming, funny, and loyal friendship between two outlaws.
By using that template, the show promises a lot of witty banter, shared adventures, and action sequences where the duo fights side-by-side. An exclusive clip released for IGN Fan Fest 2026 showed the moment they meet, and it is clear that the show wants the audience to enjoy their partnership, even knowing where it is headed . The tragedy of knowing they will eventually become mortal enemies adds a layer of tension to every scene they share.
Guy Ritchie’s Action-Packed Vision
With Guy Ritchie at the helm, directing the first two episodes and serving as executive producer, the series carries the same stylish, fast-paced energy as his Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. . However, this time the focus is on the raw, unfiltered youth of the characters.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin has described working with Ritchie as a unique challenge. He recalled that Ritchie often changes dialogue at the last minute, forcing actors to be on their toes. During a party scene, Ritchie handed him pages of new lines just half an hour before filming. Despite the pressure, Tiffin noted that Ritchie’s instincts are always right, and the last-minute changes always make the scene better .
The action sequences in the trailer suggest that Young Sherlock will be more physical and chaotic than other adaptations. This version of Sherlock is still learning to control his mind and body, and Moriarty is right there with him, learning and fighting alongside him.
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When and Where to Watch Young Sherlock
Fans around the world will not have to wait long to see Dónal Finn and Hero Fiennes Tiffin bring this unlikely friendship to life.
Young Sherlock is set to premiere on March 4, 2026. All eight episodes will drop at once exclusively on Prime Video . The release is global, meaning viewers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can all start streaming the series on the same day .
The cast is stacked with talent. Alongside Finn and Tiffin, the series features Colin Firth as Sir Bucephalus Hodge, Joseph Fiennes (Hero’s real-life uncle) as Sherlock’s father Silas, and Natascha McElhone as his mother Cordelia .
By reimagining Sherlock and Moriarty as friends, Young Sherlock is offering a fresh entry point into a very old universe. It is a risky move, but if the chemistry between Finn and Tiffin is as strong as the early interviews suggest, it might just pay off in a big way.
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