Prime Videodidn’t have to go far to find a key cast member for their newYoung Sherlockseries. They just had to raid the cast of one of their other shows. According to an exclusive report byVariety,Dónal Finn has been cast to play James Moriarty, Holmes' iconic nemesis,inGuy Ritchie’sseries about the early days of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective. Finn currently stars in Prime Video’s fantasy seriesThe Wheel of Time.
Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Aladdin) will directand executive produce the series, which will be based on Andy Lane’sYoung Sherlock Holmesnovel series.Hero Fiennes Tiffin will portray Holmes.Prime Video provided this synopsis for the series:
“With all the wit and charm of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes features, Young Sherlock will be an irreverent, action-packed origin story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective in an explosive re-imagining of this iconic character.
“At age 19, Sherlock Holmes is disgraced, raw, unfiltered, and unformed, when he finds himself caught up in a murder mystery at Oxford University which threatens his freedom. Diving into his first-ever case with a wild lack of discipline, Sherlock manages to unravel a globe-trotting conspiracy that will change his life forever.”
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In addition to Tiffin and Finn, Joseph Fiennes and Natascha McElhone star as Sherlock’s parents Silas and Cordelia (Fiennes is Tiffin’s real-life uncle).Colin Firth plays Sir Bucephalus Hodgeand Zine Tseng plays Princess Gulun Shou’an, who is described as an “Oxford University Scholar and skilled martial-artist.” Matthew Parkhill (Rogue, Deep State) will write the series and act as showrunner.
Finn plays Mat Cauthon in Prime’sThe Wheel of Time,and joined the cast for the series' second season, which premiered last year.The 28-year-old Irish actor had his first major role in the 2019 filmHow to Build a Girlwith Beanie Feldstein. His other credits include Netflix’sThe Witcheras Nettly, andFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledoreas Albert. He’s also an accomplished stage actor, and is currently performing in London’s West End inHadestown.
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The Case of the Competing Sherlock TV Series and Films
The series comes as a number of competing series and films about the character are in various stages of development and production. That includes Ritchie’s former film series with Robert Downey Jr., which has had a third film reportedly in development for years.Ritchie directed the first two films, but dropped out of the third, reportedly after Downey sought more control of the project.The franchise is moving on without him, and Dexter Fletcher, who helmedRocketman, is attached to direct the third film.
Downey is also planningtwoSherlockspinoff series, reportedly using characters to be introduced in the third film. Those series are set to air on Max, but are on hold until the third film is made.Ritchie’sYoung Sherlockwill not be connected to the films he made with Downey.
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There’s also the matter ofSherlock, the acclaimed BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. The last episode aired in 2017, and with both actors knee-deep in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, plans for more new episodes never materialized. Producers have said, however, that if everyone’s schedules allow, new episodes will be made.
TheCW has their own series in productionnow,Sherlock & Daughter, with David Thewlis in the lead. Blu Hunt plays Amelia, Sherlock’s young investigative partner, who might be his daughter, and Dougray Scott plays Moriarty. Finally,CBS is preppingWatson, starring Morris Chestnut in the lead. It’s a modern spin on the characters, and involves Dr. Watson resuming his medical practice a year after Sherlock dies. That series is due to premiere in the upcoming CBS season.
