Guy Ritchie’s 8-Episode Crime Drama Is Still the Perfect Weekend Binge Before It Returns

Guy Ritchie has many exciting shows currently airing, from MobLand to The Gentlemen, but earlier this year, Prime Video's Young Sherlock quickly became a favorite with viewers. Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective has earned his fair share of adaptations, including the beloved BBC series Sherlock and Ritchie's own 2009 film starring Robert Downey Jr. However, Young Sherlock puts a unique spin on the classic character, depicting him before he settles into his role as a consulting detective.

Young Sherlock delivers an unpredictable mystery that tests its lead's capabilities and forces him to confront his own past. Although there are only eight episodes as of now, it won't remain that way for long. Unsurprisingly, Young Sherlock has already been renewed for Season 2, allowing the Prime Video series to continue. With no release date for the show's return confirmed yet, this gives new fans plenty of time to get on board, and thanks to its constant surprises and fast-paced story, it won't take long to binge.

What Is 'Young Sherlock' About?

While Sherlock Holmes has served as the inspiration for many shows, Young Sherlock distinguishes itself by following a 19-year-old version of the character, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who is still honing his abilities. Fresh out of prison for pickpocketing, Sherlock becomes swept up in a mystery at Oxford University, where he proves adept at noticing the details others have missed. When ancient scrolls are stolen from the visiting Chinese princess, Shou'an (Zine Tseng), Sherlock becomes the primary suspect, but is determined to clear his name despite mounting threats. With the help of his new friend, James Moriarty (Dónal Finn), Sherlock unravels a greater conspiracy involving theft, murder, and revenge. The resulting investigation forces Sherlock to confront the loss of his sister, Beatrice, which he has long blamed himself for, forcing him to grow as he takes a step toward becoming the detective fans are familiar with.

Because Arthur Conan Doyle wrote short stories about the character, most Sherlock Holmes adaptations often lend themselves to episodic mysteries, but Young Sherlock follows the same story through Season 1, leading the audience on several false leads and offering plenty of twists. The result is an exciting and unpredictable series.

'Young Sherlock' Is Centered Around a Different Duo

While Young Sherlock already has many strengths to recommend the series, one highlight is the dynamic between Sherlock and Moriarty. It's a major change for their characters, who historically have been depicted as enemies. Both outcasts at Oxford, the two are pushed together as intellectual equals and come to rely on each other. The pair quickly develop a witty, playful relationship as they work together, which is fun to watch, especially since they make a perfect investigative team.

Young Sherlock's choice to make them close, if unlikely, friends shows just how similar they are, but also adds a tragic layer to their eventual rivalry. The seeds of their eventual animosity are there, with Moriarty more willing to push boundaries than Sherlock. Ultimately, this dynamic leaves a lot of ground for future seasons to cover. Despite everything they've been through, fans are naturally anticipating that their relationship will deteriorate, and Season 2 could explore how their friendship devolves into their more traditional role as enemies. Fans of Sherlock Holmes or mysteries in general should catch up now so they don't miss out on what's coming in Young Sherlock.