If you only know Hero Fiennes Tiffin as the brooding, tattooed Hardin Scott from the After movies, you’re basically missing half the story. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tragedy. People tend to box him into that "Wattpad heartthrob" category, but if you look at his actual track record in television, the guy has been doing some surprisingly gritty work long before he was ever "H."
The thing about Hero Fiennes Tiffin shows is that they aren't just fluff. He’s worked with heavy hitters like Harlan Coben and Guy Ritchie. He’s played everything from a suspicious teenager in a gated community to a literal 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes.
Let's get into what’s actually out there, what’s coming next, and why his TV career is way more interesting than the tabloids make it out to be.
The Big One: Young Sherlock (2026)
This is the show everyone is talking about right now. It’s not your grandma’s Sherlock. Forget the deerstalker and the pipes for a second. In this Prime Video series, Hero plays a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes who is, quite frankly, a bit of a mess.
He’s at Oxford University. He’s undisciplined. He’s raw.
The series is directed by Guy Ritchie, who Hero worked with on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. If you’ve seen a Ritchie project, you know the vibe: fast-paced, stylish, and a little bit chaotic. It’s based on the Andrew Lane novels, and what makes it special is the family dynamic.
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Here’s a fun bit of trivia: Hero’s real-life uncle, Joseph Fiennes, plays Sherlock’s father, Silas Holmes. Seeing them on screen together is going to be surreal. The show also features legends like Colin Firth and Natascha McElhone. It’s set to drop all eight episodes on March 4, 2026. This isn't just another detective show; it's a "franchise starter" for Amazon.
The Harlan Coben Connection: Safe (2018)
Before the After fame hit like a freight train, Hero was in a Netflix miniseries called Safe. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. It’s a classic Coben thriller—lots of secrets, white-picket fences that hide dark pasts, and plenty of "who-done-it" energy.
Hero plays Ioan Fuller.
Ioan is a local teenager who gets caught up in the disappearance of the lead character’s daughter (played by Michael C. Hall). He’s not the lead, but he’s central to the mystery. It’s a great example of his "pre-Hardin" range. He’s moody, sure, but in a way that feels like a real, terrified kid rather than a cinematic trope.
Cleaning Up (2019)
Right around the time the first After movie was coming out, Hero appeared in a British drama called Cleaning Up. It stars Sheridan Smith as a struggling mother who gets into the world of insider trading.
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Hero plays Jake, the boyfriend of the main character's daughter.
It’s a smaller role, appearing in five episodes, but it’s worth a watch if you want to see him in a more grounded, everyday British setting. No mansions, no toxic romance—just a kid in a complicated situation.
The Early Days and One-Offs
Most people forget he was in The Tunnel (2018). He appeared in season 3, episode 5 as a character named Leo. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment if you aren't looking, but it shows he was putting in the work in the UK TV circuit long before Hollywood came calling.
Why His TV Choices Matter
There is a clear pattern here. Hero seems to prefer "prestige" TV or projects with a strong directorial voice. He doesn't just do CW-style teen dramas. By choosing Young Sherlock, he’s trying to pivot. He’s moving from "young adult obsession" to "leading man in a massive global IP."
It’s a smart move.
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The After franchise gave him the fame, but shows like Safe and Young Sherlock give him the longevity.
What to Watch Right Now
If you’re looking to binge-watch something this weekend, here is the hierarchy of Hero Fiennes Tiffin shows based on what’s actually available:
- Safe (Netflix): This is the most "complete" experience. It’s a finished miniseries. You get a full story arc, and Hero is great in it.
- Cleaning Up (ITV/Streaming): Good for a more realistic, gritty look at UK life.
- The Tunnel (Sky/Canal+): Only for the completionists who want to see every single frame he’s ever filmed.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up with his career without getting lost in the fan-page noise, here is what you should actually do.
Keep an eye on Prime Video as we head toward March 2026. Young Sherlock is going to be the "make or break" project for him as a solo lead. Also, don't sleep on his voice work or smaller indie projects; he often picks things that are slightly "off-center" which usually makes for better television than the big blockbusters.
Basically, stop calling him Hardin. He’s moved on, and if you watch these shows, you’ll see why.