Hero Fiennes-Tiffin says nepo baby criticism is 'fair' as he recalls being 'so embarrassed' of his acting dynasty upbringing that he craved a 'normal childhood'

As a member of one of showbiz's acting dynasty, one would think that Hero Fiennes-Tiffin is proud of his famous heritage.

But as he prepares to take on the role of a young Sherlock Holmes, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin has confessed he spent 'years' being embarrassed of his famous surname, and spent much of his upbringing craving 'a normal childhood.'

The actor, 28, who is the nephew of acclaimed stars Ralph and Joseph Fiennes, also flew in the face of many stars who hit back at claims that they are 'nepo-babies,' instead saying it's 'fair' others make that comparison.

As well as two famous uncles in the acting world, Hero grew up with many of his loved ones working in the film industry, as his mother Martha was a director, and his father George worked as a cinematographer. 

Hero started his career when he played a younger incarnation of Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, a surprise move given his uncle Ralph was starring as the Dark Lord himself.

Posing for the cover of Tatler's March issue, Hero is now set to star as the iconic Sherlock in Guy Ritchie's new Prime Video series, based on the series of novels by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Speaking about his famous roots, Hero said: 'I used to be so embarrassed of that. Maybe I still am a tiny bit. Hero Beauregard Faulkner Fiennes Tiffin is a lot. 

'I mean, even Hero's a lot. My brother and I used to say, ''What's wrong with John and Mark? What's the next kid going to be called, Batman?''

'But no, it's a great conversation starter. It's memorable. I only hope I can live up to it.'

He added: 'As I get older, I appreciate it more, but when I was younger, I think I just wanted to be more normal. Now I feel nothing but pride.'

Hero also acknowledged that much of his breakthrough in the acting world has come from his famous family.

He said: 'I don't feel any sense of it getting my back up. I think it's so fair. 

'I would never be an actor if it wasn't for my family being in the industry and I'm extremely lucky that they were, and nepotism is the appropriate word for why I do what I do.'

'If someone told me that I don't deserve it, then I definitely would defend myself. But no, I'm so lucky to have had the opportunities.'

Hero admitted that he spent years trying to avoid the 'eccentric' side of his famous upbringing, before he was offered the role alongside his uncle in Harry Potter.

He shared: 'I think there was an element of me wanting to have a normal childhood and I didn't want to chase the eccentric, Fiennes side of things… and then Harry Potter came along.'

Reflecting on starring in the 2009 film, he said: 'I was a bit like, ''I'm not going to get it, Mum. There's loads of people, like real actors, who practise acting and they're more likely to get the role.''

'Eventually I got it, and I was really surprised that I did. And the experience was nothing but fun.'

Hero is set to find a much wider fanbase when he stars in Young Sherlock, and he said: 'The pros massively outweigh the cons, but there are some cons. I never wanted to be famous, and my comforts are quite reliant on anonymity and staying local to where I’m from and being able to go into my local pub. 

'It really would be quite sad not to be able to do those things as much or as easily without being recognised. 

'If that does happen and it’s harder for me to walk around, then so be it. I’ve played Sherlock Holmes for Guy Ritchie. It was worth it.'

Read the full feature in the March Issue of Tatler available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday 5th February.