Series 4, as the Brits prefer to call them instead of Season 4, of the British crime drama TV series “Sherlock” will be returning to BBC on January 1, 2017, New Year’s Day.
The airing of “Sherlock” Series 4 on the small screen shall happen exactly three years after its Series 3 ended.
BBC made the announcement about “Sherlock” Series 4 during the final night of the Great British Bake Off 2016. After Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc announced the winner of the contest, BBC aired a teaser trailer of “Sherlock” Series 4, reports the International Business Times of UK.
While most of the footage in the new teaser trailer has already been seen as early as during the San Diego ComicCon held in July, what excited the viewers and fans is the announcement that “Sherlock” Series 4 already has a January 1, 2017 air date.
Hours before the airing of the trailer at the Great British Bake Off 2016, BBC has already shared it on Twitter, alongside an image of Sherlock’s violin. The network also revealed that the premiere episode shall be titled “The Six Thatchers.”
Three episodes as usual
Just like its first three series, “Sherlock” Series 4 shall only feature three episodes. After “The Six Thatchers,” the second episode is officially titled “The Lying Detective.” The title of the third and final episode for Series 4 has yet to be announced as of this time.
Viewers and book lovers who are familiar with the work of author Arthur Conan Doyle would know that “The Six Thatchers” is a crack on one of his stories called “The Adventures of the Six Napoleons,” which heavily features Lestrade and plaster busts of the French military leader being smashed in search of a hidden pearl.
Series 4 shall once again see brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, not only struggling with the idea that his nemesis Jim Moriarty, played by Andrew Scott, may have survived his suicide and has returned to cause trouble for him and Scotland Yard once again.
Sherlock Holmes shall reportedly deal with his inner demons and problems with substance abuse that was shown in Series 3.
Series 4 is going to be dark
Consistent with the previous pronouncements, Series 4 of “Sherlock” is going to be dark compared to the very light third series.
In fact, Series 4 has been described by some critics as a devastating emotional upheaval focused on Sherlock and John Watson being forced to confront consequences.
Despite rumors, there are reports saying that Jim Moriarty would not be around in Series 4 of “Sherlock.” With Moriarty and Magnussen both seemingly out of the picture, all that darkness and upheaval has to be coming from somewhere. Enter Toby Jones, who was announced in May as the new villain for “Sherlock” Series 4.
Jones will be playing Culverton Smith, who in the original story is a nasty piece of work and uses his knowledge of deadly tropical illnesses to try and murder Sherlock.
To catch Smith in the act, Sherlock pretends that he really is infected and was slowly dying from the disease, and refuses to allow an increasingly distressed Watson to treat him.
Another thing that has been causing major excitement among fans of “Sherlock” is the possible appearance of Tom Hiddleston in Series 4 to play the role of Holmes’ third brother, details Digital Spy.
The Series 3 finale of “Sherlock” hinted at the introduction of a third Holmes sibling, with Mycroft saying that if he is not given to outbursts of brotherly compassion, people would know what happened to the other one.
Series 4 of “Sherlock” promises to be a life-changing series for the regular cast members of the very popular show.