Entertainment
10 Shows That Are Perfect Follow-Ups to Prime Video’s ‘Young Sherlock’
One of literature’s greatest characters has been given a brand-new origin story in the chart-topping Prime Video series, Young Sherlock. Brought to life by Guy Ritchie, the new series sees Hero Fiennes Tiffin as an unruly 19-year-old amateur investigator before he becomes the beloved detective we know and love. Through eight episodes, Young Sherlock takes on a singular mystery that keeps us guessing until the very end.
If you’ve zoomed through the brilliant debut season, you’re likely seeking a follow-up series to scratch your itch. We have series destined to entertain. Some are inspired by the same characters Young Sherlock brings to life, and others have the same tone or vintage setting. From mysteries to dramas, these series will keep you satisfied until the potential Season 2.
‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)
With countless adaptations of the Doyle character, there’s one 21st-century iteration that’s widely regarded as the premier version: Sherlock. Created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the series is set in the present day. The show follows eccentric, brilliant consulting detective Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his loyal friend, army doctor John Watson (Martin Freeman), as they use modern technology to solve complex, cryptic crimes. Using many of Doyle’s stories and elements in a contemporary, rapid-fire update, Sherlock blends thriller and drama into a stylish series that earned acclaim.
Though it spanned many years, the shocking thing about Sherlock is that there were only 13 episodes, including four three-part seasons and one Victorian-set special. Nevertheless, the brilliant chemistry between Cumberbatch’s high-functioning sociopath and Freeman’s techie allowed for a compelling partnership. Gone was the pipe, exchanged for a nicotine patch. Watson helps the duo find viral fame by blogging about their cases. Sherlock’s translation into the present is seamless. Now, with Dónal Finn providing a new interpretation of Moriarty in Young Sherlock, you might see Andrew Scott‘s menacing consulting criminal Jim Moriarty in a new light. Sherlock is an easy entry point into the evolution of Sherlock Holmes and the character’s timeless appeal.
‘A Thousand Blows’ (2025–Present)
Straying from the mystery, a series set around the time of Young Sherlock. Created by Steven Knight comes the brilliant two-season historical drama, A Thousand Blows. Lifting the real-life brutal, underground bare-knuckle boxing scene in the 1880s East End of London, the series centers around Jamaican immigrants Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall) as they navigate a violent new world. Though Hazekiah longs to be a lion tamer, he’s drawn into the boxing world, instantly forming a rivalry with seasoned boxer Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham). Meanwhile, they attempt to integrate into London society, where they come face-to-face with the all-female crime syndicate, the Forty Elephants, led by the brilliantly ruthless Mary Carr (Erin Doherty). A sensationally gritty series about survival, ambition, and the clash of class, A Thousand Blows is an underrated smash hit.
Much like Knight’s other series we’ll talk about next, A Thousand Blows is a high-stakes and stylish take on the blood-drenched, lawless streets of London. By pulling inspiration from real-life individuals and stories, A Thousand Blows feels distinctly unique. Even if the atmosphere is dark and grungy, many of the characters are intriguing enough to root for. They are literally fighting for their lives. It’s part underdog story, part sports drama, and part crime thriller. They blend effortlessly for a wonderfully strong knockout. With a starkly different atmosphere, A Thousand Blows offers a different perspective from Young Sherlock.
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)
Sticking with Knight’s works, we move into his utter masterpiece, Peaky Blinders. Another historical drama, the gritty British period piece follows the Shelby crime family in post-World War I Birmingham, England. Led by the ruthless Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the gang rises from street-level bookmaker to international power brokers as they battle rival gangs and law enforcement while navigating trauma, betrayal, and the transformation of British society. Revered for its stylized, cinematic visuals, blending period imagery with a modern rock soundtrack, Peaky Blinders was a series like none before.
If you’re squeamish, perhaps Peaky Blinders isn’t for you. If the raw reality of this gangster family’s fight to maintain power is your speed, Knight’s series fulfills the brief. Peaky Blinders is built around characters, especially Murphy’s. Tommy is both protagonist and antagonist. He’s an antihero of sorts, anchoring the series with his rich depth, charisma, and ability to detach himself from emotion. A brilliant ensemble from top to bottom, Peaky Blinders‘ six-season run was near-perfection. As we patiently await the upcoming movie, there’s no better time than now to binge the entire series.
‘Gangs of London’ (2020–Present)
Sticking with the cityscapes of the UK comes the series based on the Playstation game, Gangs of London. Created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, the high-octane thriller centers on Sean Wallace (Joe Cole) as he attempts to take over his kingpin father Finn Wallace’s (Colm Meaney) empire after his assassination. Sean must navigate betrayal, revenge, and undercover cops as the violent power vacuum of intense rivalries and international criminal syndicates battle for control. An unrelenting action-packed drama, Gangs of London is excessive violence done right.
Like many game-to-screen series today, Gangs of London smartly adapts the basic elements from the video game and crafts an entirely new universe. Even if you were unfamiliar with the game, Gangs of London stands on its own. Its visceral combat sequences are brilliant. Highly choreographed and tightly shot, whether shootouts or hand-to-hand fights, Gangs of London rivals many big-screen gangster films. With a fresh approach to the genre, Gangs of London continues to blossom. With Season 4 on its way, there is more to this sensational story to tell.
‘Grantchester’ (2014–Present)
Moving back to the period mystery series comes the long-running Grantchester. Set in a seemingly quiet Cambridgeshire village during post-World War II, Grantchester is adapted from the James Runcie books. The series follows a vicar—first Sidney Chambers (James Norton), then William Davenport (Tom Brittney), then Alphy Kottaram (Rishi Nair)—who develops a sideline in sleuthing with the help of gruff, down-to-earth Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green). Through themes of faith, morality, and social change, the buddy-crime series is about the unlikely duo’s investigation into dark crimes while balancing personal connections, relationships, and family ties.
Through ten series and counting, Grantchester is a delightfully neat, gently-paced detective series that keeps viewers engaged episode after episode. With a crime-of-the-week formula, Grantchester allows each investigation to inform the overall character development through the whodunit. With a picturesque backdrop, Grantchester may look bright, but the dark, complex narratives are highlighted through the brutality of the crimes. A comforting detective series, Grantchester is the show you never knew you needed to watch.
‘Elementary’ (2012–2019)
If Sherlock was the modern British retelling of the classic character, Elementary was the American take. The series reimagines Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) as a recovering addict in modern NYC. He’s joined by Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), as they develop a platonic, non-romantic partnership. Blending typical procedural crime drama with a story of addiction, recovery, and human connection, Elementary excels at character development first and foremost. In turn, the seven-season CBS series subverted what we know to bring the essence of the characters into a new universe.
Unlike more stylized adaptations, this series offers a realistic approach to the detective game. As time went on, the nuanced Sherlock Holmes story still remained while the series developed its own identity. Elementary also boasted a brilliant ensemble, including Aiden Quinn as Captain Tommy Gregson and Jon Michael Hill as Captain Marcus Bell. Now, Watson wasn’t the only gender-bending character as Natalie Dormer took on Jamie Moriarty, the criminal mastermind who also posed as Irene Adler, Sherlock’s great love. A series that got better with age as it grew into itself, Elementary deserves a new lease on life through the current resurgence of Sherlock Holmes.
‘Watson’ (2025–Present)
Speaking of the resurgence, CBS wanted to play upon the modern retelling of the Doyle character again in the new series, Watson. Set one year following Sherlock’s (Robert Carlyle) death, Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut) runs a Pittsburgh clinic treating rare, complex diseases. Leading a team dedicated to treating these diseases, Watson is a modern riff on a classic concept, blending detective-style drama with a medical thriller. Watson gives a fresh premise to the beloved sidekick. Tackling the case-of-the-week formula, Watson elevates the tropes found on House to a more optimistic tone while drawing on the Doyle character through a strong performance by Chestnut.
The obvious appeal is giving Dr. Watson a place to shine on his own. Though if the dynamic is what initially appealed to you, it’s not going to be here. Instead, he’s in the lead. The ensemble surrounding him is solid, but it’s the main baddie that draws back to Sherlock, who is most appealing. Per usual, we have a James Moriarty present, this time taken on by Randall Park. He might be the most sinister version of the character in modern adaptations. When you portray him as an everyman willing to be nefarious, that’s a threat you least expect. Though the series has been met with mixed reception, it’s a wonderful watch for Sherlock Holmes fans.
‘Doctor Who’ (1963–2025)
This might seem like a wild stretch of how Sherlock’s origin story has any relation to a two-hearted Time Lord, but their tones, especially the revival series, couldn’t be more similar. Plus, a central character and their pals solving mysteries? They’re a great companion for one another. The long-running natural treasure series follows an alien Time Lord known as “the Doctor,” who travels through time and space in the TARDIS. Accompanied by a human companion or few, the Doctor explores the universe, fighting villains like the Daleks to protect innocent lives and prevent catastrophic events. A story that emphasizes using wit and intelligence over violence to solve problems, the genre-blending Doctor Who explores time periods and planets for non-stop fun.
Young Sherlock‘s energy matches Doctor Who in its oft-bright and jovial demeanor. Further, if there’s any actor who could slip into the iconic role, it’s Tiffin. The eccentric, affable, charismatic approach to Sherlock feels very similar to how Matt Smith, Jodie Whittaker, and Ncuti Gatwa played their iteration of the Doctor. Both shows have a wonderfully grounded emotional core that makes a Doctor Who binge-watch a logical next step after Young Sherlock.
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
A character from religion and literature, the late 2010s brought an urban fantasy series to life around Lucifer. Based upon the DC Comics character of the same name, Lucifer tells the story of Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who, after abandoning Hell, runs a nightclub in Los Angeles. But his life changes when he becomes a consultant to the Los Angeles Police Department. He joins Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) to solve murders while exploring humanity, compassion, and his own identity. With angels, devils, and humans living in this shared universe, the procedural-driven crime show brings celestial and earthly conflicts to the forefront.
With a highly praised performance from Ellis, the series masterfully blends comedy and drama for an engaging premise. Beyond the detective side of the series comes a rich subplot that dives into psychology. As Lucifer’s relationships rise and fall, he goes to Dr. Linda Martin (Rachael Harris) to analyze them all. Originating on Fox before moving over to Netflix for its final seasons, Lucifer is a smart fantasy detective series that is familiar enough in format yet deviates through theme to stand on its own.
‘The Gentlemen’ (2024)
This final entry is here simply due to the man who made it: Guy Ritchie. After the success of the 2019 film of the same name, he brought The Gentlemen to life for a whipsmart eight-part series. Expanding upon the original story, The Gentlemen follows Eddie Horniman (Theo James), who inherits his father’s country estate, only to discover it hides a massive, illegal marijuana empire. Eddie tries to extricate his family from the criminal underworld but is drawn into it. Navigating his dealings with gangsters, including the sharp Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario), while managing his chaotic brother, Freddy (Daniel Ings), The Gentlemen explores the tension between the British aristocracy and the criminal underworld in a stylish, entertaining manner.
The atmosphere within the series is quite precise. It’s over-the-top in all the right ways, and even when you think things couldn’t get more brazen, it does. There is a familiarity to the original film, but its extension gives it its own solid footing. James is a brilliant anchor, especially against bigger personalities like his brother. If you like violence, The Gentlemen is more than sufficient. It’s artistically graphic. At the end of the day, the series pays homage to Richie’s film for a truly fun journey.
The Gentlemen
- Release Date
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2024 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Writers
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Stuart Carolan, Guy Ritchie, Haleema Mirza, Matthew Read
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