Joining a stellar lineup of British talent, Radio Times has revealed Dad’s Army and former Harry Potter star Toby Jones has inked a deal to board Sherlock season 4 in a villain role.
Now poised to put Holmes and Watson – Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman returning in their respective roles – back on the case, attempting to solve the seemingly unsolvable, no further details were release regarding Jones’ malevolent role (surprise!), though we do understand his character won’t make an appearance until season 4’s second episode.
Welcoming the casting of Jones, series co-creator Stephen Moffat did tease that he was “delighted to have Toby Jones on board, bringing to life one of Doyle’s finest villains;” while fellow showrunner Mark Gatiss added, “we’re thrilled to welcome one of our finest actors to the Sherlock family. I know Toby will embrace the part with true relish.”
Given the rich archives of Arthur Conan Doyle stories that are ripe for the picking, exactly who Jones is playing remains a mystery for now. Besides, it’s no secret that Mr. Holmes has garnered his fair share of enemies throughout his detective work, so could the newcomer be in line to portray Adelbert Gruner or John Clay, perhaps? All we know is that Amanda Abbington, Una Stubs, Rupert Graves, Jonathan Aris and Louise Brealey complete the ensemble cast.
Currently deep in production, all three episodes of Sherlock season 4 are expected to slink out of the shadows and onto the small-screen before the year’s end. What’s more, according to Moffat, BBC’s hit series is inching closer to its inevitable climax.