Guy Ritchie’s Robert Downey Sherlock Replacement Succeeded at an Impossible Task
The films’ unresolved cliffhanger
Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films starred Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson. Their mix of intricate cases and action helped make them popular, and Downey Jr.’s performance drew praise from critics and fans.
The second film ended with Holmes and Moriarty, played by Jared Harris, apparently falling to their deaths at Reichenbach Falls. Its final reveal showed Holmes was alive and close to Watson, but a third film has remained in limbo for years.
A younger Holmes at Oxford
Young Sherlock is loosely based on Andrew Lane’s book series and follows a 19-year-old Holmes, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. After leaving prison for pickpocketing, he takes a job as a scout at Oxford University and is framed for a teacher’s murder.
Holmes works with James Moriarty, played by Dónal Finn, to find the real killer and clear his name. Their investigation leads to a global conspiracy and secrets within the Holmes family.
A complement, not a prequel
The series keeps a Victorian-era setting inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories while adding to Holmes’ background. Before its release, Ritchie’s involvement prompted speculation that it might connect directly to his films, but it is not a prequel to them.
Instead, Young Sherlock complements the movies while giving Fiennes a chance to take on Holmes in Ritchie’s style. The series also explores Holmes and Moriarty’s first meeting, their changing relationship and the detective’s family dynamics.
More stories ahead
With Sherlock Holmes 3 appearing unlikely at the time of writing, Young Sherlock has filled some of the space left by the stalled film project. Its focus on Holmes’ younger years leaves room to explore parts of his past that Conan Doyle did not cover and many adaptations have set aside.
The show is preparing for a second season, expected to follow Moriarty’s turn toward villainy, his friendship with Holmes and Holmes’ discovery of more of his father’s secrets. No release date has been announced, though the series is among Prime Video’s anticipated upcoming projects.
Key points
- Young Sherlock follows a 19-year-old Holmes at Oxford University.
- Holmes and James Moriarty investigate a teacher’s murder and uncover a wider conspiracy.
- The Prime Video series is not a prequel to Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films.
- Season two is expected to explore Moriarty’s villainous turn and Holmes’ father’s secrets.