Say Goodbye To Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock As Guy Ritchie's New Adaptation Takes Over

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Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock was long the world-famous detective’s definitive TV adaptation, but Guy Ritchie’s new show is set to take over for the current generation. The 2010s were a prime era for Sherlock Holmes on TV. The BBC’s Sherlock took the world by storm, as Cumberbatch’s modern-day Holmes became fast friends with Martin Freeman’s John Watson and went toe-to-toe with Adam Scott’s theatrical and charismatic James Moriarty.

Of course, Sherlock wasn’t the only mainstream Sherlock Holmes TV adaptation of the decade. Over on CBS, Jonny Lee Miller’s detective lived in a brownstone in New York, consulted with the NYPD, and trained his new protégé, Joan Watson (Lucy Liu). Elementary was a fun twist on Holmes’ typical London-based story, and Joan’s role as Sherlock’s investigative equal offered the pair a fresh new dynamic. Together, Sherlock and Elementary reinvented Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective for the modern age, far from the sleuth’s usual Victorian origins.

Since Sherlock and Elementary ended in 2017 and 2019, respectively, other Holmes-related shows have tried to fill the void. CBS attempted to recapture Elementary‘s magic by putting a medical mystery spin on a show centered on Dr. John Watson in Watson. Meanwhile, the CW produced Sherlock & Daughter, a new Victorian-era series in which David Thewlis’ Sherlock Holmes teams up with a young woman who claims to be his daughter, played by Blu Hunt. Watson was canceled after two seasons; Sherlock & Daughter‘s fate is still officially unknown.

Neither show has made as massive a splash as Sherlock or Elementary. Still, another recent adaptation has become a global success, thanks in large part to Prime Video’s enormous reach and Guy Ritchie’s iconic signature style. Young Sherlock stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a much younger, inexperienced version of the titular sleuth, as he unravels his first globe-trotting case with the help of his mother, brother, and an unlikely ally: Dónal Finn’s James Moriarty.

Young Sherlock Is A Worthy Successor To Sherlock And Elementary

Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock Holmes in Young Sherlock

Despite being set in Sherlock Holmes’ preferred Victorian era, Young Sherlock does what Sherlock and Elementary did best: find a brand-new angle in one of the most iconic franchises of all time. By exploring Sherlock’s younger days, the show avoids retreading overly familiar ground and comparisons to Ritchie’s popular previous Sherlock Holmes films, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Tiffin’s Sherlock has all the bravado that his future self will become known for, but this version is more prone to making mistakes and much more in need of help and friendship.

Watching him slowly transform into the detective the world knows and loves is a real treat, as is the development of his relationship with Moriarty. In fact, the friendship between the two destined enemies is undeniably the best part of the show. Not only is it great to actually see the world from Moriarty’s point of view rather than him being boxed in as a villain, but it adds an extra layer of vulnerability and complexity to Sherlock Holmes’ well-worn mythology. They’re not just each other’s intellectual equals, desperate to outmaneuver the other. They mean something to each other.

As a result, Young Sherlock is more than just a detective story. It’s a character-driven, family-style drama, stylized with Ritchie’s trademark quips, banter, soundtrack choices, and fast-paced action sequences. Most importantly, it has room to grow. Dónal Finn’s Moriarty and Tiffin’s Sherlock could lead this show for years to come.

Young Sherlock Has A Bright Future On Prime Video

Sherlock and his friend standing in Young Sherlock season 1

A little over a month after Young Sherlock premiered on Prime Video, the series was renewed for a second season (Guy Ritchie will return to direct the first episode). It’s ranked among Prime Video’s Top 10 Original Series of all time, accumulating more than 45 million views in its first month on the platform. It also became Prime’s #1 streaming series worldwide before being dethroned by Invincible season 4 three weeks later, and has even nabbed a Primetime Emmy nomination, recognized for Outstanding Title Design.

Though its current 84% Rotten Tomatoes score may be slightly lower than this year’s other biggest streaming hits, the show can only get better as it continues to develop. Tiffin will grow into his role as Sherlock, and Finn will get to explore the darker side of his character. The cases can become more complicated, too, as Sherlock hones his investigative abilities. The first season was all about introducing Sherlock’s most important relationships and exploring his complicated family history. The next season — and any others — won’t be as burdened by exposition. All in all, Young Sherlock has what it takes to be this decade’s definitive Sherlock Holmes TV adaptation.

All eight episodes of Young Sherlock are streaming now, exclusively on Prime Video.