Parents' Guide to Young Sherlock

Young Sherlock TV show poster: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Colin Firth, Max Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Zine Tseng, and Dónal Finn.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Famed detective's origin story is fun, violent; has cursing.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 9+

Based on 1 kid review

What's the Story?

Freshly out of prison, YOUNG SHERLOCK Holmes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) is saddled with scout duties at the University of Oxford. When scrolls from the father of Princess Gulun Shou'an (Zine Tseng) are stolen, Sherlock is framed as the prime suspect along with scholarship student James Moriarty (Dónal Finn). The two team up to prove their innocence, but soon the seemingly simple theft unravels into a more complex mystery. As mayhem and murder follow each clue, Sherlock struggles to deduce his way back to freedom and the truth.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 3 ):
Kids say ( 1 ):

This series is a fun, fast-paced, and clever take on the origins of a notable detective. Young Sherlock is artful and captivating; it's elevated by Guy Ritchie's signature action shots and camera cuts and could be seen as a prequel to the director's two movies about Holmes. Both as a duo and individuals, Fiennes Tiffin and Finn are forces to be reckoned with. Tseng captures Shou'an's cunning determination well. For teens, parents will want to mind the violence, language, drinking, and smoking.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Young Sherlock. Why do you think the creators decided to combine the mystery with violence and action? How does this affect the overall story?

  • Do you think Sherlock is a hero or role model? Does he demonstrate any character strengths? What about his not-so-admirable qualities?

TV Details

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Young Sherlock TV show poster: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Colin Firth, Max Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Zine Tseng, and Dónal Finn.

What to Watch Next

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