Key Highlights
The Winter of Filmmaking Woes: A Glimpse into “Young Sherlock”
You might think this is new, but… the challenge of Welsh winters has been an uphill battle for a long time. Take, for example, Colin Firth starring in Young Sherlock, a re-imagining of the famous detective’s younger years. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it’s set to release on Wednesday and has already seen the cast and crew spotting scenes across south Wales.
The cold winter proved a “challenge” according to supervising locations manager Deon du Preez. “Fighting the Welsh winter was a challenge for that build,” he admitted, referring to the construction of a Yurt Chinese Village in Brecon Beacons. This unique location choice required extra effort due to the harsh weather.
From Oxford to Wales: A Global Setting
The series is set in 19th Century England, France, and Turkey but much of the filming took place right here in the UK, particularly in places like Merthyr Mawr estate in Bridgend. Du Preez noted that “the region has a strong selection of film-friendly Victorian and period locations,” making it an ideal spot for such productions.
Colin Firth and Young Sherlock
Oscar winner Colin Firth plays Sir Bucephalus Hodge, the dean of Oxford University. He’s central to setting the mystery in motion, working alongside Hero Fiennes Tiffin as the young detective Holmes. While Firth is a big draw, his role is pivotal to the show’s plot.
Fiennes-Tiffin also stars in the series with his uncle Joseph Fiennes appearing alongside him, adding an interesting family dynamic to the mix. It’s clear that this project aims to bring new life and intrigue to the classic Sherlock Holmes story.
A Masterpiece of Location Management
Deon du Preez speaks highly about the locations in Wales, highlighting their historical significance and how they can enhance a production’s authenticity. “Historic streets, civic buildings, heritage sites, and country estates” provide not just visual appeal but also a rich narrative backdrop.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the team managed to build a Yurt Chinese Village in Brecon Beacons, proving that with creativity and perseverance, even the harshest conditions can be turned into artistic advantages. “Once we realised the landscape of Brecon Beacons could be the landscape scale we needed, we built a Yurt Chinese Village which looked great,” Du Preez added.
So, as you sit down to watch “Young Sherlock” on Wednesday, remember that behind the scenes, it took a lot more than just a good script and a famous actor. It took battling winter winds and building villages in the middle of nowhere. But here’s hoping that all this effort will pay off with a captivating series for fans of both old and new Sherlock Holmes tales.
