Young Sherlock: Guy Ritchie’s Prime Video Mystery Filmed In Wales Wins Praise As An “Absolute Gem”

With its fast-paced mystery, distinctive humour and an intriguing partnership between two future rivals, Young Sherlock is attracting attention from crime-drama fans. The Prime Video series, developed by Guy Ritchie, has been praised by viewers as a “must watch” and an “absolute gem”, with one fan even declaring that it has “zero boring episodes”.

The eight-part first season, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in March 2026, reimagines Sherlock Holmes long before he becomes the legendary detective. Set around Oxford University, the story follows a 19-year-old Holmes as he becomes involved in a murder investigation alongside James Moriarty — the man who will eventually become his greatest enemy.

All eight episodes are available to stream, and the series has already secured a second season, which is currently in production.

A Young Sherlock Holmes Faces His First Major Mystery

Rather than focusing on the familiar detective audiences know from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Young Sherlock explores the formative years that shape Holmes into the brilliant investigator he will eventually become.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin takes on the title role, portraying a 19-year-old Sherlock whose early experiences lead him into an increasingly complicated murder case at Oxford University. Along the way, he forms an unlikely alliance with James Moriarty, played by Dónal Finn.

Their relationship provides a fresh angle on the familiar Holmes mythology. At this stage, Moriarty is Holmes’ companion rather than the formidable adversary audiences recognise from the original stories.

The series draws inspiration from Andy Lane’s novels about Holmes’ younger years, while also incorporating elements from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic works.

The main cast also includes Zine Tseng as Xiao Wei, Joseph Fiennes as Sherlock’s father Silas, and Colin Firth as Sir Bucephalus Hodge.

Guy Ritchie Brings His Distinctive Style To The Series

The creative force behind Young Sherlock is Guy Ritchie, whose previous work includes Netflix’s The Gentlemen and the gangster films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

Ritchie is also familiar with the world of Sherlock Holmes, having directed the 2009 and 2011 films starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr John Watson. For this television adaptation, he developed the series and directed its first two episodes.

His involvement brings a recognisable combination of energetic storytelling, sharp humour and mystery to the detective’s early adventures.

The production also made extensive use of locations in Wales. Filming took place at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, as well as in Monmouth, Bridgend and Margam Park near Port Talbot. Other scenes were shot in Bristol and Spain.

These Welsh locations helped bring the series’ historical setting to life, making the production particularly notable for viewers familiar with the region.

Season 2 Is Already In Production

The first season consists of eight episodes, but Holmes’ story is far from over. A second season was commissioned in April 2026, with filming subsequently spotted in Bristol and Italy.

Several new cast members are also joining the production. Aidan Gillen and Indira Varma, both known for Game of Thrones, will appear alongside Olivia Williams from The Crown and Sophie Skelton from Outlander.

The next instalment is expected to arrive in 2027, giving the series another opportunity to explore the young detective’s developing story and his complicated relationship with Moriarty.

What Are Viewers Saying About Young Sherlock?

The series currently holds an 84% critics’ score and an 83% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a generally positive response.

TV commentator Anubhuti Navin, who regularly shares streaming recommendations through her Instagram account The Watchlist Club, described the show as a “must watch”. She also praised its consistency, saying there were “zero boring episodes”.

Audience reactions have highlighted the chemistry between the lead actors, the energetic direction and the mystery at the centre of the story.

One viewer said the series was more entertaining than expected, praising its lively approach and the way the mystery maintained their interest.

Another reviewer highlighted the cast, direction and writing, noting that each episode builds curiosity not only around the investigation but also around Holmes’ development into the detective audiences know.

Others particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Fiennes Tiffin and Finn, with one viewer praising the combination of pace, excitement and humour associated with Ritchie’s filmmaking style.

However, the response has not been universally positive. Some viewers criticised the show’s visual presentation, arguing that several scenes were so dark that it was difficult to follow the action. Others felt the central mystery was relatively straightforward.

Despite those reservations, the series has attracted considerable attention from viewers looking for a fresh take on one of literature’s most recognisable detectives.

Where To Watch Young Sherlock

All eight episodes of Young Sherlock are currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

With Guy Ritchie behind the project, a young Holmes investigating his first major mystery and Moriarty standing beside him before their eventual rivalry, the series offers a different perspective on the origins of the famous detective.

And with a second season already in production and expected in 2027, viewers have more of this reimagined Sherlock Holmes story to look forward to.