Fiennes Family Affair: Uncle and Nephew Share the Screen in “Young Sherlock”
The highly anticipated Amazon Prime Video series, Young Sherlock, is set to offer viewers a unique blend of mystery, thriller, and an origin story for the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. Adding an extra layer of intrigue and familial warmth to the production is the casting of two members of the esteemed Fiennes family: Hero Fiennes Tiffin and his uncle, Joseph Fiennes.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who audiences might recognise from the After movie series, takes the lead role as a young Sherlock Holmes. His on-screen journey is further enriched by the presence of his uncle, Joseph Fiennes, a celebrated actor known for his powerful performances in films like Shakespeare in Love and The Merchant of Venice. Joseph will be portraying Silas Holmes, Sherlock’s father, a casting choice that promises to translate real-life familial chemistry into compelling on-screen dynamics.
Hero, 29, spoke about the seamless transition from his familial relationship to their on-screen roles. “It’s a luxury that we have the relationship we do and that we are playing the characters that have the relationship they do, because if there is any familiarity that creeps in, it works quite well,” he shared, highlighting the advantage of their genuine connection.
Joseph Fiennes, 55, readily agreed, noting that the ease of their relationship is something many actors strive for through extensive preparation. “We get it for free, which is lovely, this familiarity, and so you want to lean into that; if anything, you want to embrace that,” he stated.
Hero affectionately referred to his uncle as “Uncle Joe,” acknowledging the significant influence Joseph, along with his brother Ralph Fiennes, has had on his acting aspirations. “He’s also an incredible actor whom I’ve watched and, I guess, aspired to be like, so working opposite [him] in multiple capacities was inspiring, but also you make it fun as well,” Hero commented, with a smiling Joseph adding that he hoped he wasn’t coming across as “the stodgy old uncle.”
The praise flowed both ways, with Joseph Fiennes lauding his nephew’s talent. He described Hero as “just sublime,” “hugely talented,” and possessing “a great sense of leaving no stone unturned.” Joseph was particularly impressed by Hero’s off-screen demeanour, remarking, “Off camera, he is such a graceful gentleman with the crew. That’s one thing I observed, which I just thought: ‘Wow, he’s got it in spades.’” He continued, “He’s got a really, great understanding of caring and how the machine works, and also putting in the work ethic as an actor. It’s wonderful to behold.”
A Fresh Take on a Classic Character
Young Sherlock deviates from the established narrative by presenting a unique origin story that explores unconventional relationships. One of the most striking departures is the depiction of an unexpected friendship between Sherlock Holmes and his notorious adversary, Professor Moriarty.
Hero acknowledged that such radical changes can initially spark a “knee-jerk reaction.” However, he quickly saw the creative merit, explaining, “Sometimes, you have a knee-jerk reaction and go: ‘They haven’t explored Sherlock and Moriarty [as] friends’. But you very quickly start to completely flip it on its head and go: ‘This actually justifies so much more of what I read in Conan Doyle’s works with this being the case.’” This reinterpretation aims to provide a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and their complex interactions.
The Nuances of Fatherhood and Family Dynamics
The exploration of the father-son relationship between Silas and Sherlock Holmes was a significant draw for Joseph Fiennes. He was particularly captivated by how creator Matthew Parkhill drew inspiration from both Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary works and the author’s personal life.
Joseph elaborated on the inspiration behind Silas Holmes’ character. “Conan Doyle, I think, had a pretty unstable but brilliant childhood where his father was an illustrator, and also, sadly, an alcoholic,” he revealed. “That sense of a relationship, which is fractured and beautiful at the same time, is something that plays out within the family dynamics of the character he invented, Sherlock Holmes, and Matthew Parkhill picked up on it, so it’s really, really rich, and it’s good fun.” This approach promises a multi-layered and emotionally resonant portrayal of the Holmes family.
An Exhilarating Ride Awaits
Overall, both Hero and Joseph Fiennes anticipate that Young Sherlock will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience for viewers. Hero echoed a sentiment of “fun” for anyone tuning into the series, while also acknowledging the ambition required to bring such a project to fruition.
Joseph Fiennes offered a fitting analogy, paraphrasing the renowned crime author himself. “Conan Doyle once said: ‘If you’re feeling low, jump on a bicycle, go for a ride’,” he quipped. “And Hero, Matthew and Guy have delivered the best exhilarating ride for [eight] episodes. It is one to pick up the spirits.”
Young Sherlock is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offering a fresh and captivating look at the early life of one of literature’s most enduring detectives.
