Hero Fiennes Tiffin is one of Hollywood's hottest young stars. Following his breakout role in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the actor earned leading man status in 2019 thanks to the After franchise, which spawned five films.
As he continues to chart his meteoric ascent, Hero, 28, has since collaborated with Bridgerton's Simone Ashley on the rom-com Picture This, and worked with the legendary director, Guy Ritchie, appearing in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and more recently, in Prime Video's new drama, Young Sherlock.
A member of the Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes family, which includes Oscar-winning actors and esteemed directors, it's hardly surprising that Hero has inherited a passion for performing. While he has a horde of A-list uncles and aunts in his corner, however, the actor has also stressed the importance of securing roles on his own merit, and in spite of any famous family ties.
Find out who he's related to here…
Hero's parents
Hero is the son of film director Martha Fiennes and cinematographer George Tiffin. Best known for her work on Onegin (1999) and Chromophobia (2005), Martha is the recipient of a BAFTA nomination, and won the British Newcomer of the Year award via the London Film Critics' Circle.
© GettyAs for his father, George Tiffin has served as a cinematographer on Arena (1991), American Masters (2005) and The Spirit (2007). While less is known about George's side of the family, Martha's is filled with A-list names, including Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes, who are Hero's maternal uncles. Meanwhile, documentary filmmaker Sophie Fiennes is his aunt.
Back in 2019, Hero was asked about his parents in an interview with the Evening Standard. Explaining that he likes to keep work separate from his family, the Harry Potter alum said: "I'm relatively quiet in my actions, I'd rather get the job done and let it speak for itself.
© WireImage"Even my mum finds out most of my stuff about work through my agent. I've been lucky to have the family and the opportunities that I've had, so I'm conscious of trying to get some work done without the help."
For Hero, entering the acting industry was never a given and it took a while for him to realise that it was what he wanted to do. Fortunately, his mother and father, who are no longer together, were in his corner. "They've always been a perfect balance of supportive and realistic. Being in the industry, they're very aware of how easily things can fall through, so I've always had a plan B," Hero recalled to W Magazine.
Hero's famous uncles
Hero has no shortage of aunts and uncles on his mother's side, and most of them are famous. Ralph Fiennes is revered as one of Britain's most popular and well-known actors, who has starred in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as Schindler's List (1993), The English Patient (1996), Maid in Manhattan (2002), The Menu (2022) and most recently, Conclave (2024).
© Photo: Getty ImagesWhile Hero and Ralph both appeared in the sixth Harry Potter movie, they have always kept their careers separate. Quizzed about his beloved nephew in an interview, a beaming Ralph replied that while he's happy to give him advice, Hero is "confident" and "cool" and "on his own journey".
Hero is also a nephew to Joseph Fiennes, who is internationally recognised for Shakespeare in Love (1998), Enemy at the Gates (2001) and The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2021).
Hero on working with his uncle in Young Sherlock
Hero plays the titular role in Prime Video's latest series, Young Sherlock, while his uncle, fellow actor Joseph Fiennes takes on the role of Hero's father.
During an interview with HELLO! at the London premiere of Young Sherlock, Hero said it was "a dream" to work with his uncle.
"I've always wanted to work with Joe, and anyone in my family in the industry, but it would have to be for the right opportunity," he said. "I'm very lucky to have the opportunities that I do to get into this industry, and I felt like before working with them, I definitely wanted to have some time to get some experience and improve my acting chops."
© Daniel Smith/PrimeThe actor revealed that despite having "self doubt" at the beginning of the project, his confidence returned when his uncle arrived on set.
"Joe came onto set about four months into shooting and all of that went in the bin and out the window," he said. "Matthew Parkhill, our showrunner, said that he saw me shrink to a much younger version of myself, but Joe's so supportive and such an incredible actor. He's also very generous and giving, and I very quickly built up that confidence again and I loved working opposite him."
What has Joseph Fiennes said about working with Hero?
Ahead of the release of Young Sherlock, Joseph said it was "a real present" to work with Hero.
© WireImage"To work with a family member that you've held in your arms as a baby – and to see him grow into a great, wonderful leading man with such energy, such talent, and actually off-camera, such grace… for me, it was a real present to work with him," he told the Press Association.
Hero's dating life
Hero likes to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, so not much is known about his relationship history.
