"We've already agreed to two more series". Those were the seven words Benedict Cumberbatch uttered today that set a sizeable section of the internet afire. Speaking at this afternoon's South Bank Show Awards, the Sherlock and Star Trek: Into Darkness actor revealed, "All I know at the moment is that I'm doing these three and another three".
Until now, a pall had been cast over the possibility of a fourth Sherlock series due to Cumberbatch and Freeman's packed film-making schedules, not to mention the time-suck of Steven Moffat's showrunning duties on Doctor Who. (Thanks to the detective show's critical and popular success, whether or not the BBC would recommission further episodes was never in question. Firstly, they're not stupid people over at the BBC, and secondly, someone would have to do some very bad sums indeed to turn down the Sherlock team.)
Is four series likely to be our lot? "It just depends on Martin and I's availability, how long we can keep it going. It depends on Steven's ability. I'd love to keep it going" said Cumberbatch. He's certainly not alone in that.
Series three of Sherlock is due to start filming next Monday, with two episodes planned to be in the can before a summer break, and then a further episode filmed after the leads have returned from their respective Star Trek and The Hobbit duties. Broadcast dates won't be confirmed for a good while yet, but we'll let you know as soon as they are.
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