Sherlock to have a fourth series

As each episode of the BBC's Sherlock is a movie in itself, running at a healthy 90 minutes sans commercials, getting them into production can be a scheduling nightmare. Even more so when your two primary actors, Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), have become global stars. So it's a minor miracle the third series is about to go into production next Monday.

But in Holmes' world, there are no miracles; only coincidences. And it just so happens Cumberbatch has let a clue slip whilst speaking to the Radio Times:

"We’ve agreed to two more series but I could get into trouble for saying that. All I know at the moment is I’m doing these three [episodes of the upcoming series] and another three."

(note: it's a series, American readers. Even the most desperate imaginations can't possibly consider three a season).

The last episode of season series two concluded with a major cliffhanger, so the sooner these next installments come, the better.

Sherlock is written and created by Steven Moffat (Dr. Who, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn) and Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen).