First Images from Guy Ritchie's Series Young Sherlock

Finally, a new "Sherlock Holmes" project from director Guy Ritchie! His two motion pictures with Robert Downey Jr. are legendary, and fans have been hoping for a third movie for years.

But it seems Ritchie has other plans for now: he is directing the series "Young Sherlock" about the famous detective's past. Amazon has now released the first images.

The lead role goes to Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who portrays the young Sherlock during a particularly dark phase of his life. Amazon describes the project as an "irreverent, action-laden mystery" in a modern, "explosive re-imagining". Instead of the later brilliant detective, the series presents a raw, rebellious, and impulsive Sherlock Holmes.

In addition to Tiffin, the cast includes Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, and Colin Firth. "Young Sherlock" is set to premiere in 2026 on Amazon Prime Video

The most famous Sherlock Holmes adaptations for film and television

Hardly any other literary character has had such a lasting impact on pop culture as Sherlock Holmes, the ingenious detective penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Since the end of the 19th century, Holmes has fascinated audiences with his razor-sharp powers of observation, his eccentric personality and his unwavering determination to solve even the most difficult mysteries. No wonder, then, that he is one of the most filmed characters in literary history. The following adaptations are among the best-known and most influential adaptations of the master detective in film and television.

Basil Rathbone: The classic Holmes of the 1930s and 40s

For many viewers of the older generation, Basil Rathbone is the epitome of Sherlock Holmes. Between 1939 and 1946, he played the detective in 14 Hollywood films. Although the scripts sometimes dealt very freely with the literary models – some adventures were even set in the present day of the Second World War – Rathbone's portrayal had a lasting impact on the public perception of the character: elegant, cool, analytical and equipped with a pipe and deerstalker. These films also established many iconic elements that are still associated with Holmes today, even if they never appeared in the books.

Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994) with Jeremy Brett

When it comes to fidelity and psychological depth, the British Granada TV series starring Jeremy Brett is considered one of the best Holmes adaptations ever. Brett's portrayal is often described by fans and critics alike as perhaps the most authentic interpretation of the detective. He plays Holmes not only as an intellectual superhuman, but also as a complex character who suffers from emotional tensions, erratic drive and occasional dark melancholy. The series adapted most of the original short stories and novels and was characterized by detailed sets, careful dramaturgy and a stylish staging of Victorian London.

Guy Ritchie's Holmes films with Robert Downey Jr.

With "Sherlock Holmes" (2009) and "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011), director Guy Ritchie brought the detective back to the big screen in a modernized version – but still in a historical setting. Robert Downey Jr. embodies a more boisterous, physically active version of the master detective, while Jude Law as Dr. Watson is given much more personality and self-confidence than previous film versions often allowed. Action, humor and visual stylistic devices such as the famous "Holmes visions", in which the detective calculates his analyses in advance, made the films global successes. Although they deviate greatly from the literary original, they have made a significant contribution to the character's renaissance in the 21st century.

Sherlock (2010-2017) with Benedict Cumberbatch

Few modern adaptations have brought the Holmes myth into the 21st century as radically and successfully as the BBC series "Sherlock". Benedict Cumberbatch's interpretation shows Holmes as a highly gifted but socially challenging genius with clear Asperger's traits, while Martin Freeman as Watson forms the emotional antithesis. The series is known for its fast-paced storytelling, visual creativity – such as the use of superimposed text fragments representing Holmes' thoughts – and the clever updating of classic cases. "Sherlock" gained a broad international fan base and helped the character achieve new pop-cultural relevance.

Elementary (2012-2019)

With "Elementary", CBS ventured another modernization, but this time with a clear departure from British tradition: Sherlock Holmes lives in New York, is a former drug addict in rehabilitation, and Dr. Watson becomes Dr. Joan Watson, played by Lucy Liu. Jonny Lee Miller's Holmes combines eccentric cleverness with a vulnerable, modern touch. The series develops its own cases and largely dispenses with direct adaptations of the original stories. Thanks to the strong character development, especially the relationship between Holmes and Watson, "Elementary" is a refreshingly new interpretation that nevertheless retains the essence of the characters.

Conclusion

Sherlock Holmes has lasted for generations – and every era has created its own Holmes. Whether classic and elegant, action-packed and modern or psychologically complex: the numerous adaptations show how timeless the fascination with the ingenious detective is. And one thing is certain: further interpretations will follow.