Sherlock will return for a 4th season and a special

Once again, the game is afoot. The BBC has announced that Sherlock — the wildly popular modern re-imagining of the character, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman — will return for a special, which will pave the way for a fourth season of three episodes.

"A special, plus a new series of three episodes — it's a record-breaking run!" said co-creator Steven Moffat in a statement. "Of course, it's far too early to say what's coming, but we're reasonably confident that the very next thing to happen to Sherlock and John, is the very last thing you'd expect..."

Unfortunately, fans have a bit of a wait ahead of them — shooting on the special won't begin until January 2015.

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