It’s official: Everyone’s favorite high-functioning sociopath and his trusty sidekick are returning for more adventures. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are set to reprise their roles as William Sherlock Scott Holmes and Dr. John Hamish Watson, respectively, in a fourth series plus a one-off special. In other words, four feature-length installments of Sherlock are in the works!
Series co-creator, writer and executive producer Steven Moffat: “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…”
Co-creator, writer, executive producer, and co-star Mark Gatiss: “Series Four! At last ! It’s always special to return to Sherlock but this time it’s even more special as we’re doing… a Special! Not only THAT, we’ll then be shooting three more episodes which will take Sherlock and John Watson into deeper and darker water than ever before. The whole Sherlock team are terrifically excited to return for four new adventures. The Game is on – again!”
Executive producer Sue Vertue: “It’s taken a little while to get the dates sorted as none of the boys are exactly sitting back twiddling their thumbs but there was unanimous goodwill to make this work, so we’re thrilled that 221b is going to be inhabited again.”
Though it did incorporate some head-scratching cases inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the most recent series of Sherlock deviated from the show’s usual formula in order to really explore the relationship between the sleuth partners. It was all handled with grace and humor (a Sherlock staple), and now that the show has truly defined their harmonious accord it can test its limits. In the words of Gatiss, The Game is on–again!
The special shoots in January 2015 (with rumored signs pointing to a Christmas 2015 air date), and production on series four will begin later next year (with a likely 2016 air date). What I should have said before: The Wait is on–again!
[Via BBC]