Renewal Status, Potential Storylines, & Cast Returns

Prime Video’s Young Sherlock offers a look into the younger years of the Great Detective, and it perfectly sets up a second season. Sherlock Holmes continues to be a source of inspiration for artists, and the status of the rights to the character has given creative liberty to many. Among them is Andrew Lane’s book series Young Sherlock, which is now a TV show on Prime Video.

Set in the Victorian era, which is fitting with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Young Sherlock introduces viewers to a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) at Oxford University. There, he meets brilliant student James Moriarty (Dónal Finn), with whom he quickly bonds, and the newly arrived Chinese Princess, Shou’an (Zine Tseng).

When Sherlock is framed for the murder of an Oxford professor, he and James set out to solve the mystery and clear his name – however, the murder is only the beginning of the unraveling of a major conspiracy and the reveal of some dark family secrets. Young Sherlock season 1 is already a success, and it paves the way for a second season.

Young Sherlock Season 2 Hasn’t Been Confirmed

Although many TV shows have been renewed before their first season is released, this hasn’t been the case for Young Sherlock. The show was very well-received by critics before its release, and it currently holds an 86% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, so not being renewed before its premiere isn’t bad news at all.

Given its early success with critics, Young Sherlock is on its way to being a bigger hit once all its episodes are available to stream, and this success will be key to its renewal. It’s hard to say when exactly the announcement of a second season of Young Sherlock could arrive, but if all goes well, Young Sherlock will be renewed a couple of weeks after its release.

As for when it could be released, it’s even harder to say, as there’s no renewal yet. However, supposing Young Sherlock is renewed before the summer of 2026, looking at the production schedule of the first season, and supposing it begins filming in late 2026, season 2 could arrive in late 2027 or early 2028.

What Young Sherlock Season 2’s Story Could Be About

One of the biggest draws of Young Sherlock is the case that takes Sherlock and James on a much bigger adventure beyond Oxford. Young Sherlock builds upon that mystery in every episode, and what begins with the stealing of some documents and the death of Professor Thompson quickly develops into a deadly conspiracy and family secrets.

Although the main mystery in Young Sherlock season 1 is solved, the ending leaves the door open for more family secrets waiting to be uncovered. On top of that, and perhaps most importantly, there’s the relationship between Sherlock and James, who, even though they are friends throughout season 1, tensions and differences between them are highlighted in season 1.

Young Sherlock sets up James’ villain turn with his fascination over the development of a chemical weapon, his almost euphoric reaction after killing a French soldier, and the stealing of the formula for that weapon. Young Sherlock season 2, then, will surely continue developing James’ villainous side, as well as the first stages of his clashing with Sherlock and the beginning of their famous enmity.

Young Sherlock Season 2 Cast Details

With no renewal for Young Sherlock yet, there are no official casting details for season 2, but there are some actors who are guaranteed to return. Of course, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Dónal Finn would return as Sherlock and James to continue their characters’ stories, as well as Max Irons as Mycroft Holmes and Natascha McElhone as Cordelia Holmes.

Another character who would have to return is Beatrice Holmes (Holly Cattle), as Young Sherlock season 1 saw her reuniting with her mother and brothers and starting a secret relationship with James. A surprise return could be that of Joseph Fiennes as Silas Holmes, in case he faked his death after falling off the cliff.

Young Sherlock has potential and perfectly sets up a second season, and if all goes well with viewers and other critics, the show will be guaranteed to be renewed in the near future.