AceShowbiz - Young Sherlock is making a strong debut on Prime Video as the new prequel series explores the early life of Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The show follows a young and unrefined Sherlock who finds himself falsely accused of a murder at Oxford University. With the unexpected help of his classmate, James Moriarty, played by Dónal Finn, the pair uncover a larger conspiracy while trying to prove Sherlock’s innocence.

Prior to its official premiere, Young Sherlock has already secured a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven critical reviews. Although the number of reviews is still limited, suggesting the score may adjust as more feedback arrives, this initial reception positions the series as one of the most successful adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes character in recent memory.

Critics widely agree that this iteration offers a refreshing and entertaining interpretation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective. The series draws inspiration not directly from Doyle’s original novels but from Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes book series, allowing it to introduce new elements while maintaining respect for the classic source material.

Compared to previous Sherlock Holmes adaptations, Young Sherlock currently boasts one of the highest critical ratings. It surpasses the acclaimed BBC Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which holds an overall 78% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. When examining individual seasons, the Prime Video show outshines the first three seasons of the BBC series, which scored 93%, 94%, and 91%, respectively. It also fares better than the recent adaptation Sherlock & Daughter (2025-present), starring David Thewlis, which has a 77% critics score.

The perfect score of 100% also places Young Sherlock on par with the Japanese drama Miss Sherlock, which premiered in 2018 and shares the same flawless critical reception. Other adaptations, such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, do not have an official Rotten Tomatoes score to compare against.

In ScreenRant’s review, critic Ben Gibbons praised the series as "a masterpiece that captures the magic of Arthur Conan Doyle's original series and gives it new life." He highlighted how the show explores Sherlock’s mind and origins in depth, unlocking the full potential of the iconic detective character. The dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty is particularly notable, as the series portrays them initially as friends, setting the foundation for their legendary rivalry.

The review further commends the series for balancing fidelity to the original source with bold new storytelling choices, earning it a near-perfect 9 out of 10 stars rating. This blend of respect and innovation makes Young Sherlock a worthy addition to the Holmes canon.

The success of Young Sherlock marks a significant milestone for filmmaker Guy Ritchie, who serves as executive producer and directed several episodes of the series. Ritchie, known for directing two Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, returns to the franchise after nearly 15 years. His last Holmes film, A Game of Shadows (2011), sparked ongoing talks about a third movie, but no major developments have occurred since.

During his time away from the Sherlock franchise, Ritchie directed other projects, including Disney’s live-action Aladdin and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which also featured Hero Fiennes Tiffin. With Young Sherlock, Ritchie’s involvement has resulted in his highest-rated Sherlock-related project to date, surpassing the Rotten Tomatoes critics scores of 70% and 60% for his 2009 and 2011 Sherlock Holmes films, respectively.

It is important to note that Young Sherlock is not connected to Ritchie’s previous movies, and the only Sherlock Holmes movie to hold a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes remains the 1945 film The Woman in Green starring Basil Rathbone.

As the newest addition to the Sherlock Holmes adaptations, Young Sherlock is expected to be a significant part of the evolving franchise landscape. Other recent Sherlock-inspired projects include Netflix’s upcoming third Enola Holmes movie, featuring Millie Bobby Brown, scheduled for release later this year. Additionally, Sherlock & Daughter has secured a season two renewal, though no release date has been announced.

Ultimately, the audience’s response will determine whether Young Sherlock can stand alongside the beloved versions by Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. Early critical acclaim and potential strong streaming viewership suggest a promising future for the show.

Besides Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Dónal Finn, the cast includes Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Colin Firth, and Max Irons. The showrunner overseeing the series is Matthew Parkhill.