When does Sherlock season four start? Start date, latest news and rumours
THE nation's favourite detective is set to return with a fresh batch of mysteries. Here's everything you need to know about Sherlock season four.
Sherlock and John are set to return with a new series of the BBC smash hit
When does Sherlock season four start?
The new series is set to kick off on January 1, 2017 on BBC One.
Fans of the show will already be aware that the opening two episodes of the fourth run are called 'The Six Thatchers' and 'The Lying Detective'.
What will happen in Sherlock season four?
The show’s creator Steven Moffat described the new episodes as “an emotional upheaval”.
"We're certainly going to put them through the mill," he told Entertainment Weekly.
"It's going to be more of an emotional upheaval. Hopefully enjoyable and fun, all the things Sherlock must always be. It will be tough at times. Maybe that's the word? A tougher series."
Sherlock will go through 'an emotional upheaval' in the new season
The season three finale saw the supposedly-dead Moriarty appear on every screen in the country, asking: “Did you miss me?”
Moffatt has promised “there is no last-minute whim” in the character’s return. He added: “We’ve had what we’re going to do with Moriarty in place from before the second season.”
Episode one will see John and Mary become parents, after last season’s reveal that Mrs Watson is a secret assassin.
Tom Hiddleston has been rumoured to join the show
Toby Jones will join the cast in the second episode. He is alleged to be playing Culverton Smith, who in The Dying Detective used his knowledge of deadly tropical diseases to try and murder Sherlock.
The third episode is rumoured to introduce a third Holmes brother – Sherrinford. Fans had speculated that Tom Hiddleston would join the cast, with the BBC even releasing a Sherlock-Night Manager mash-up.
Hiddleston Joins the Sherlock team
Will season four be the end of Sherlock?
After its two main actors have become fully-fledged Hollywood stars, it has become harder for producers to film the show.
Moffat admitted: "I don't know how long we can keep it going. I'm personally willing, but I'm hardly the main draw.
Steven Moffat (centre right) has teased that season four could be the end of Sherlock
"I would be moderately surprised if this was the last time we ever made this show – but it absolutely could be."
Benedict Cumberbatch has said that he will continue as Sherlock as long as the character is “developing”, and said “I’d love to play him as an old man”.