While "Sherlock's" Victorian Christmas special has gotten fans excited, there are still a few details about "Sherlock" season 4. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman's busy schedule, will we see the last of Sherlock Holmes in season 4?
A report from Youth Health Mag says that this may be the case because even though the series has been scheduled for a fourth season, Cumberbatch, who plays the modern version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective, have been such a big star since the start of "Sherlock" in 2010. With his busy schedule, the news outlet notes that a next season may be bleak.
Movie Pilot also corroborated with this theory, saying that there's an issue of time constraint in Cumberbatch's part, considering his multiple movie projects and his superhero debut in "Doctor Strange" in 2016.
Youth Health Mag goes on to say that if it is indeed true that Cumberbatch will not be available for the future seasons of "Sherlock," the show either has to fit with his schedule or choose another actor to play the role. However, that still poses a problem since according to Steven Moffat, creator of "Doctor Who" and "Sherlock," the show is very character-driven.
In an interview with Variety, Moffat compared "Doctor Who" and "Sherlock," and how the former has successfully evolved through time.
"'Doctor Who' is the all-time perfectly evolved television show. It’s a television predator designed to survive any environment because you can replace absolutely everybody. Most shows you can’t do that with. For example, once Benedict Cumberbatch gives up 'Sherlock,' what are we going to do? We are going to stop, that’s what we are going to do," Moffat explained.
However, a previous Parent Herald report says that Cumberbatch is not leaving soon. The British actor told USA Today back in 2014 that he is planning to play Sherlock as long as her can, given that the story continually develops.
"I'll keep doing [the show] as long as [Sherlock] grows, as long as I feel he's developing and there's stuff we're all being challenged by and that's being loyal to the original stories as well," Cumberbatch said.
He also told Vogue that he will never get tired of playing the role if the show maintains its quality. “I really, really love my job,” the actor revealed. “I love sets. I love crews. I love theaters. I love audiences.”
Though "Sherlock" season 4 has already been green-lit, there is still no definite time of release and shooting has not yet started.
Meanwhile, for Sherlockians who are eager to see Sherlock and Dr. Watson return to the small screen, a standalone "Sherlock" Victorian Christmas special titled "The Abominable Bride" will be aired on Jan. 1, 2016 via BBC One and PBS Masterpiece. Check out the trailer below.
