The game is (almost) afoot! Three months out from the show’s hotly-anticipated return, the BBC has begun stoking the embers of excitement for Sherlock season 4.
Upholding tradition, over the weekend the British broadcasting giant took to Facebook to lift the lid on the first two episode titles: “The Six Thatchers” and “The Dying Detective.” If history has taught us anything, it’s that these monikers are likely plays on famous Arthur Conan Doyle stories – The Six Napoleons and The Lying Detective have emerged as the likely candidates, but until season 4 premieres in January, treat those rumors as just that.
What we do know is that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will be back in action as Sherlock and John Watson, respectively. Returning to present-day London after being flung back in time for Victorian-themed spinoff The Abominable Bride, the residents of 221b Baker Street will be going toe-to-toe with the devious Culverton Smith (Toby Jones). Couple this with the all-but-confirmed return of Andrew Scott’s Moriarty and Sherlock season 4 will be teeming with foes to put our leading duo through their paces – both physically and mentally.
Circling back to those episode titles, however, and what’s interesting is that Doyle’s narrative arc for The Lying Detective had Sherlock feign poisoning in order to track down a nemesis known as Culverton Smith. A red herring? Or confirmation of Jones’ big bad?
In what could be the final chapter in Sherlock‘s story, Benedict Cumberbatch’s cunning sleuth will return to the small-screen, deerstalker in tow, come January. An exact premiere date continues to elude season 4, but we’ll be keeping tabs on Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ crime series as it closes in on its return.