UPDATE:
Today the BBC have confirmed that filming will begin in January, for a Sherlock Christmas special that is not the sole planned outing; as there will also be a further three episode series to follow, which will film later in the year.
Series creator Steven Moffat added “A special, plus a new series of three episodes – it’s a record-breaking run! Of course, it’s far too early to say what’s coming, but we’re reasonably confident that the very next thing to happen to Sherlock and John, is the very last thing you’d expect…”
UPDATE ENDS.
After the two year gap between seasons two and three, and the huge cliffhanger left at the close of the third season, many fans were hoping the BBC would bring Sherlock back a bit quicker next time. Though it appears as if the two year gap will be repeated, as star Martin Freeman has just revealed the next time the genius detective will grace our screens will be for a Sherlock Christmas Special, in 2015.
While the BBC have neglected to mention the return of Sherlock thus far, and Freeman himself said “if this was New Labour I’d get fired” when he said the return “looks pretty likely”, confirming “a Christmas special is what I understand” – the most likely outcome given the increasingly hectic schedules of Freeman (The Hobbit star who portrays Sherlock’s sidekick Dr. Watson), and Benedict Cumberbatch (the Star Trek: Into Darkness star who plays the titular detective), now making it more difficult than ever to lock down a fourth series.
Writers and showrunners Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (who also stars as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft) are undoubtedly due to return for any work on the show, which according to Freeman will see his real-life wife Amanda Abbington reprising her role as Mrs Watson, and is due to begin filming early next year.
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
Source: The Telegraph, The BBC.
