Much has been made about the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as Marvel’s Doctor Strange, though before the actor lights up the screen as Sorcerer Supreme later this year he’ll be stepping into the shoes of another mercurial genius, for Sherlock season 4 has officially entered production.
Reuniting Cumberbatch with his indispensable partner-in-crime, Martin Freeman, the three-part season promises “laughter, tears, shocks, surprises and extraordinary cases,” though no airdate was announced at this time. Rachel Talalay (Doctor Who, The Flash) is on board to helm the premiere.
Looking to the show’s future, Sherlock co-showrunner Steven Moffat hinted at what lies in store for Holmes and Watson, not to mention how the story is “about to reach its climax.” Could the BBC’s prized detective drama be nearing its end?
“Sherlock series four — here we go again! Whatever else we do, wherever we all go, all roads lead back to Baker Street, and it always feels like coming home. Ghosts of the past are rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and terror and tragedy are looming. This is the story we’ve been telling from the beginning and it’s about to reach its climax.”
Last seen storming Victorian London in The Abominable Bride spinoff, the official logline describes Holmes and Watson’s latest outing as so:
“Season 4 begins with the mercurial Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), back once more on British soil as Doctor Watson (Martin Freeman) and his wife Mary (Amanda Abbington) prepare for their biggest challenge yet: becoming parents.”
Sherlock season 4 will likely premiere towards the end of 2016 in the UK, followed swiftly by a debut in the US early next year. But will we finally learn the whereabouts of Andrew Scott’s Moriarty?