Holly Cattle On Prime Video’s Young Sherlock: ‘Bea Is A Badass’

There’s a new Sherlock Holmes on the block, and this time he’s an unruly 19-year-old brought to life by Hero Fiennes Tiffin and directed by Guy Ritchie. Studying at Oxford University, he’s as inquisitive as we know Arthur Conan Doyle’s famed detective to be, but in this younger rendition he is raw, unfiltered and undisciplined. But a murder in the city sets him onto his first real case, bringing him into contact with everyone from Princess Gulun Shou’an (Zine Tseng) and a young James Moriarty (Dónal Finn) to Sir Bucephalus Hodge (Colin Firth) and his sidekick Bea (Holly Cattle).

Having previously starred in Mr Loverman and countless productions on stage, we sat down with the rising star Holly ahead of the series launching on Prime Video to delve behind the scenes, including using music to find a character and fighting Colin Firth for Cadbury Twirls.

Joseph Fiennes, Zine Tseng, Dónal Finn, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Natascha McElhone & Max Irons in Young Sherlock. (Daniel Smith/Prime)

Q&A: Holly Cattle On Young Sherlock

Hi Holly, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is really good – thanks for asking! Must be the year of the horse or something… 

You are about to star in Young Sherlock – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Happily. We’re talking a classic Guy Ritchie action packed thriller: dark, light, scary and funny all at breakneck speed. Blink and you’re behind.

You play Beatrice. How would you describe her?

Bea is a badass. That’s what our show runner would consistently whisper in my ear before a take. She’s incredibly intelligent, charming and disarming and a total chameleon. She’s a master of manipulation and mimicry and she’ll crush anyone in her way. She’s easily the most intelligent character in the show – but shhh, don’t tell the boys I said that.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

I did! I work a lot with music so I create playlists for every character I take on. It may or may not surprise you, but Bea’s playlist consisted predominantly of techno. The whole thing is seven hours long, but one song I kept returning to was ‘C45p’ by the German DJ Helena Hauff – particularly from episode 7 onwards (if you know, you know). Fcukers, Kendrick and Kanye were somewhere in there, too.

There’s a lot of stuff I learnt at drama school years ago that I don’t incorporate into my work now, but something that did stay in my process for this role was animal studies. Because Bea goes through such a big transformation in the series, it was really helpful to anchor her in two very different animals. The contrast between those two creatures really clarified her evolution for me. Unlike the music, though, that kind of work happened long before I got to set. It’s something I do to give my performance a clearer spine, not something I’m trying to demonstrate or explain. So, you’re not going to see her crawling on all fours or pecking away at sunflower seeds…

How do you get into character on set?

When I get to work I try to just let go of everything – by that I mean all my work I’ve done on the character. I want to be free of any pre-conceptions so I can be fully present in the scene and discover what happens there and then. That’s the magic stuff! If I’ve got really emotional scenes coming up, I keep myself to myself and my AirPods in. Even in-between takes sometimes. I’m pretty sure my AirPods are hidden in a hay bale in the final scene of episode 7, and in my corset at points during episode 8. 

It’s got a stacked cast. What was the dynamic like on set?

It’s got an incredible cast. There was no sense of hierarchy at all – and the work was always collaborative. We all mucked in together and made each other laugh while doing it. Some of the content is pretty heavy so that last bit was important. 

Who was your favourite person to work with?

Is this a trick question? Did Colin [Firth] write this? Bea spends most of the first half of the series glued to Bucephalus Hodge who’s played by Colin Firth, and I don’t really want a target on my back if I name someone else. We spent many an hour in a green room arguing over who was having the last Cadbury’s twirl and asking each other if they were watching our closeup because ‘that’s how it’s done and you’d do well to learn’. So Colin, if you’re reading this, feel free to Monzo me – I said you. 

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Watching Joe’s scene at the end of episode 8 on the cliff. They kept telling me I could go to lunch but I couldn’t stop watching him. He’s phenomenal. Or in episode 3 when Colin launched himself on a sofa and the leg snapped mid scene. I think we only did one take of that, so if I’m in shot giggling, it’s in character – I swear.

Holly: ‘When I get to work I try to just let go of everything […] I want to be free of any pre-conceptions.’
Photographer: David Reiss
Styling: Giulio Ventisei
Hair: Sophie Sugarman
Makeup: Min Sandhu

You’ve also snagged a role in Rivals season 2. Anything you can tease about that?

I wish but no, my lips are totally sealed on that matter…

How did it feel when you got the call to say you’d star?

I didn’t get a call on this occasion, I was actually in my agent’s office, so she got to tell me in person which never happens. We didn’t know if the timings would work initially so it felt even more special that everything had lined up. I think I opted for a gentle ‘you’re not serious!’. I’ve definitely shouted down the phone before in excitement, so I wanted to go easier on her ears this time. 

Who brings the best energy to set?

I think we have to give a shoutout here to the crew. Actors turn up moaning about early starts and no oat milk, and it’s the crew who are first to set and last to leave everyday. And they always have a smile on their face. Give them all capes.

What has been your favourite project to date?

That’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child – absolutely not happening. I love them all equally. Especially the two that come out on 4 March and 15 May 2026 though. Oh, and Force Majeure, the play I did at the Donmar in 2021.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

My first ever job was a play lead by Rory Kinnear and Lyndsey Marshall. All we did was laugh. It was a chaotic and perfect time with a group of actors who now feel like family and I’ll never forget it. Five years on and I know I can call any of them for anything should I need to – that’s rare. 

What’s your dream role?

Nora in A Doll’s House. Or Martha Friel in a Sorrow and Bliss adaptation. 

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I’d love to do an indie. Or a Western. Something really sad or really angry.  

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Loads. Olivia Colman and Ava Pickett especially, but also Frances McDormand, Greta Gerwig, Ruben Ostlund, Martin McDonagh – the list is endless.

Do you get to spend much time at home? What do you like to do there?

I’ve spent much of the last year shooting on location so I’m rarely home. When I am, I like to operate at snail speed. My days are usually very long phone calls with my friends and multiple cups of coffee. It’s hard work but someone’s got to do it. 

What’s your interior design style?

I love mid-century furniture, soft lighting and colourful walls. There’s always room for green and yellow in my house. 

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

I don’t. Yet.

How can we all live a little bit better?

We can all read more poems. And stop drinking coffee on an empty stomach. 

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Yes, I forgot to cancel my ClassPass so if all goes to plan, I should be absolutely shredded by the end of the month.

Holly: ‘When I am at home, I like to operate at snail speed.’
Photographer: David Reiss
Styling: Giulio Ventisei
Hair: Sophie Sugarman
Makeup: Min Sandhu

What Holly Cattle Is Loving Right Now

I’m currently watching… AI animal videos on Instagram

What I’m reading… The Cemetery, Simon Armitage’s new poetry collection

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… I Swear (2025)

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… 1536 again in the West End. It’s one of the best plays I’ve ever read and seen.

Favourite film of all time… Jerry Maguire (1996)

Favourite song of all time… ‘Revelry’ by Kings Of Leon. It was on repeat during a really memorable time in my life with some really special people.

Band/singer I always have on repeat… SZA!

My ultimate cultural recommendation… A Friday night at Rowans in Finsbury Park followed by a kebab.

Cultural guilty pleasure… Performative males on the tube – it’s theatre.

Young Sherlock is streaming now on Prime Video.

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