Ralph Fiennes’ actor nephew: I am a nepo baby – but I deserve success

The nephew of Ralph Fiennes has told how he knows he is a nepo baby but believes he’s worthy of success.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin, 28, said he welcomed the label of nepotism as “appropriate” for his career, saying he did not shy away from citing his family and his last name for opening doors.

Fiennes Tiffin, best known for the After film franchise, is the son of filmmaker Martha Fiennes and the nephew of actors Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes, as well as composer Magnus Fiennes and filmmaker Sophie Fiennes.

Speaking about the family dynasty, he told Tatler Magazine: “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.”

The actor is set to star in Guy Ritchie’s latest action and mystery series, Young Sherlock, which will chart the origin story of the famed British detective.

Joseph, his uncle, best known for portraying Shakespeare in the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love, is starring alongside him as Sherlock’s father.

Discussing the upcoming series, Fiennes Tiffin said: “At the start of any show, I feel like I need to prove myself and everyone else that I’m relatively good at what I do.

“By the time I had a scene with Joe [Joseph] I had done weeks and months of work, so I felt confident in playing Sherlock. But all of a sudden, I was opposite Joe, and I was like, ‘Oh God, I hope Joe thinks I’m good?’”

He added that he was initially reluctant to get advice from his famous uncles because he was so keen to carve out his own path.

However, since working with Joseph, Fiennes Tiffin admitted he has “definitely asked”.

He said: “That name brings me to the table – I want to bring some of my own stuff to the table too.”

The 28-year-old has previously starred alongside Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley in the 2025 romantic comedy Picture This.

He also appeared in the sixth Harry Potter film as a young Tom Riddle before the character became antagonist Lord Voldemort, played by his Academy-nominated uncle Ralph. Fiennes Tiffin added that the experience was “nothing but fun”.

Ralph, who is a three-time Oscar nominee, has had star turns in papal film Conclave, The English Patient and Schindler’s List.

Fiennes Tiffin admitted he initially wanted to avoid the “eccentric” family’s industry.

He said: “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.”

[Source: Daily Telegraph]