Even though there were almost two years between Sherlock seasons 1 and 2, fans need not worry that it will be another long wait before season 3 makes it on the air. Co-creator Steven Moffat promises that it won’t be “too long” before you’ll be seeing Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Watson (Martin Freeman) back at 221B Baker Street – just don’t expect it to be all that soon.
Speaking with the Radio Times, Moffat emphasizes the time and effort that goes into producing each episode of Sherlock.
“Get used to a bit of starvation. We’re making movies – those six films we’ve made could go in the cinema. You can’t factory produce that – it’s a different kind of show. So, when we’re good and ready – it won’t be that long – but when we’re ready, you’ll get the follow-up.”
This comment, while directed more towards British viewers, who are more accustomed with short season runs of popular television series than their over-seas counterparts, highlights not only their intention of wanting to create the absolutely best programming possible, but also the difficulty in doing so.
For all intents and purposes, everyone associated with Sherlock has become a hot commodity in the entertainment industry. With Moffat busy full-time with Doctor Who (and perhaps a Tin-Tin sequel), Cumberbatch cast as the villain in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 2 and Freeman staring in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit (which Cumberbatch will also be in), it quickly becomes apparent how difficult it would be to fit Sherlock season 3 – essentially 3 feature films – in their schedule.
Thankfully, everyone associated with Sherlock is up for the challenge. Neither Cumberbatch nor Freeman have any intention of leaving the series, and with Moffat being as big of a fan of Sherlock Holmes as Doctor Who, he’s confirmed that he’s in for the long haul – perhaps a longer haul than anyone expected.
While discussing his intentions with the series, Moffat revealed his brilliant plan of wanting to bring Sherlock back 20 years from now, with Cumberbatch and Freeman reprising their roles.
“I fondly imagine it’d be nice to stop it for a while and come back and see what they’re like in their 40s or 50s. Because normally these two characters are portrayed in their 50s.
So we’re actually at the beginning. It might be interesting in a couple of decades when they come back and [we] see what they’re like.”
Certainly an intriguing notion for Sherlock Holmes fans, Moffatt’s grand vision does have some precedence in the television world. From 1991-2006, Helen Mirren continuously reprised her role as detective Jane Tennison in the original UK series Prime Suspect. Filming 16 episodes over the course of 15 years, Prime Suspect followed Mirren’s character through the entirety of her career on the force. Add 5 years more years to that and Sherlock might just be one of the greatest television series, featuring one of the literature’s greatest characters, ever to air.
But what about Sherlock season 3? What will happen when Sherlock and Watson return to television?
While Moffat is staying quiet about what’s to come, he admits that there’s been a plan in place from the beginning – a plan that is playing out perfectly.
“We knew we had this cliffhanger coming, we knew that we were doing ‘The Final Problem’, and we did not want people to know that [Holmes] survived.
We wanted to wind the audience up so that the final shot [of series two] would have the impact that it evidently did.
We were commissioned for series two and series three at the same time, but we decided to keep it under wraps that day that series three was in the bag.”
Continuing, Moffat highlights some elements that may be included in the future:
“He and Holmes don’t always live together and I think that’s become a lazy way of doing Sherlock Holmes – they always live together.
They didn’t actually and why would they? Nobody flat-shares forever, so there’s loads of details we can get in there.”
And what about the mischievous Moriarty? While nothing has been set in stone, Andrew Scott, the actor that plays Moriarty, has almost completely ruled out any type of return to the series.
“I have had an absolute blast. He is an extraordinary character to play. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to do it.”
Without the wonderfully evil Moriarty, it’s difficult to figure out what direction Sherlock will head in, as it goes into season 3. Thankfully, series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are not only brilliant writers, but they also know every Sherlock Holmes story inside and out.
So if there’s one duo you should put your faith in more than Sherlock and Watson, it’s Moffat and Gatiss.
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Sherlock season 2 will premiere on PBS in May. Expect Sherlock season 3 to premiere Summer 2013
Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyocasio
Sources: Radio Times, Digital Spy, RTÉ
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however, new junior Sherlock Holmes gonna be a greatest detective senses for everyone who likes to Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. The creator copied and imagined to old novels frame or not. It’s doesn’t matter. The best one is, Steven Moffat must be a historical person of the detective world in the future.
I absolutely love this re created Sherlock and I under stand how much they put into this (time, money, and effort and I really like that about this show) I, just as most others, are really excited to see Sherlock later on but waiting until they are 50 might just be a stretch.
The problem with coming back in 2030 is its so long away that people will forget, move on, have different interests, its a good idea to a point. Personally I will be starting working on stuff like that sooner than that and I wont have time to fit this in.
Personally I don’t believe that waiting until 2030 and bringing sherlock and john back when they are in their 40′s or 50′s is such a good idea, people will have moved on and I hate to say it forgoten about it. They should carry it on as it is and probably make it as if its only been a year and a half, I believe that it would satisfy lots of fans including myself.
I don’t think waiting until the characters are older would be a good idea. By that time, first of all, most of the EXTREMELY dedicated and interested fans, by that time, may outgrow the wait and lose interest. Second, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having ‘younger than usual’ actors playing the parts of Holmes and Watson. It gives a refreshing difference to this tv series and all other productions of Sherlock Holmes. Third, the actors are interested now to do more episodes, and all parties involved in the production. Whats to say they will still be interested in another twenty years? DON’T POSTPONE THE REST OF SHERLOCK UNTIL 2030, PLEASE!!!!!!!
Couldn’t have worded it better myself.
I think the next big villain will be Sebastian Moran, he is in the books after all Morairty’s predecessor
I definetely can not wait that long! I will die waiting and waiting. Please keep doing Sherlock episodes and give them to us monthly if possible.
i will not wait that long. 2030 is a bad idea.
There is no indication that the third season isn’t coming back for another 20 or 30 years. Do us all a favor and try to make an accurate observation. That’s just an idea being toyed with, and a quite intriguing one at that. The article clearly states that you should expect season 3 in the summer of next year, and I’m sure more will follow after. Still too long of a wait for my taste, but certainly understandable.
Its simply marvelous that the director had the guts to bring Sherlock in the present day England kudos to all associated with the serial
God, I want season 3 now! 2030 I’ll watch I love the show but won’t Homes and Warsom be old and Hudson? OMG…
Please, please don’t wait that long till 2030! In the books it was only three (or so) years…but I hope not to have to wait that long for season 3…please!
I would like to see them brought back in a couple of decades if it means extra shows with the actors older in them. It would be like a class reunion. What I don’t want is to stop the current Sherlocks just to get them at the right age that would be horrible. I love the shows now I might not be so interested in them later on.
I would hate for the series to be put off until 2030. I don’t think there is anything wrong with making Holmes and Watson younger.
The wait would simply be way too long and many fans would either forget the series or simply gain more intrests.
While waiting is until they are in their 50′s is an interesting idea, I think it would fail in this particualr show.
If they wanted older actors, they should’ve considered this before the first episode aired.
Plus theres the fact that this would upset many, many fans. I’ve personally resorted to fanfiction en masse just to get me through the hiatus until season 3. If they decided to wait 20 years, I’d be tempted to just drop the series now to avoid to frustration of waiting….
Sherlock is my top show ever. It’s up there with Firefly and Game of Thrones.
I hope that the USA version of Sherlock (with a female Watson) will be decent to get me through to Season 3.
I saw the trailer for Elementary. It’s SO not Holmes. :’( I’ll just have to wait…
Bringing Sherlock and John back in 2030 is an interesting idea, but not a good one. Many fans don’t to wait for TOO LONG.
I can’t wait for 2012 to be over soon. I want more of Sherlock. And please make Sherlock kiss Irene… oh that’d be so romantic and yet so… awkward!!!
Nooo, Sherlock cannot get involved romantically with anyone, it ruins the mystique around him. He cannot allow for ‘love’ to muddy up his brilliance.
I have to agree. His taking Irene’s hand was enough to put me off. The books said…!
same i love it to bits!!!
i know every single word of every single episode(no joke)
however i can’t wait that long I would commit suicide (not rely) i NEED Sherlock and john!!!
oh and thanks to every one who works on Sherlock u r my SAVIORS!!!
I agree with the others; Sherlock and Irene do not belong together romantically. Sherlock admires Irene, but I think that’s about it. He likes how she’s able to survive with her wits. Also Sherlock being with Irene would completely ruin his character. The reason people like Sherlock so much is because of his lack of emotions and other quirks. Besides Sherlock and Irene aren’t stupid enough to see each other because that would jeopardize Irene’s life. Lastly, if anyone does have to end up with Sherlock (if anyone absolutely MUST), then I think it should be Molly–not Irene.
sure, i’d watch it, but i’d be pretty upset if you waited 18 years. EIGHTEEEN YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sherlock needs to stay youngish, and that cliffhanger is so cliffhangary! you can’t leave fans hanging for that long!
They did not say they would wait 18 years to bring season three to production. They said it would be fun to, after a time, revisit the characters in 2030 in their later lives. Season 3 is mentioned as coming in out next year. The irony of fans of the series missing such an obvious “clue” is Lestrad like in its proportions.
I love Sherlock!!
I can wait for several months as long as it is continuing.(but not 18 years!) Cheers to Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for the amazing show!!
I can’t wait any longer!!
THE HELL?! I mean, you can’t just postpone this until then. That’s totally unfair to the watchers!!!! I just watched the last episode and I can tell you I am WEEPING. PLEASE don’t make us fans wait until 2030. I want to still be able to fangirl over Sherlock. And Johnlock. (can we make that a reality please?
Please start a new season soon. Love the show! Steve Moffat, you are a genius and I congratulate you on all your fantastic work.
THE HELL?! I mean, you can’t just postpone this until then. That’s totally unfair to the watchers!!!! I just watched the last episode and I can tell you I am WEEPING. PLEASE don’t make us fans wait until 2030. I want to still be able to fangirl over Sherlock. And Johnlock. (can we make that a reality please?
Please start a new season soon. Love the show! Steve Moffat, you are a genius and I congratulate you on all your fantastic work. Sherlock is cool 
The best analogy for a “some decades down the road” sequel I can think of is the new Tron Legacy. Realizing that Jeff Bridges was at that moment a hot movie commodity, they made a movie based on his 20 years younger character.
I can’t wait for Season 3! I look forward to the next season. I have to say, I’m disappointed we might not be seeing anymore of Moriarty though. He’s a brilliant villain, I love the way he’s been portrayed. I’ll definitely be checking back for more info as time goes by
Woe is me. I was holding my breath until this fall for Season 3. One more year? This is by far the best show on TV. As for 30 years? I will be 92. What are the odds?
Thank you for creating this amazing show. I have been a fan of Holmes since I was a child, and this series is fantastic! I live in the States and stumbled across the show on my Apple TV last year. I will watch the show as long as it is on and if it takes a break and comes back. Great TV is hard to find, and Sherlock is most definitely amazing TV!
Can’t anyone read properly? The third season is planned to come within a year, and the writers are toying with the idea of doing later seasons when the actors are older. I think that’s would be awesome to have series that spanned the life time of its actors, even if it doesn’t run continuously. I’m still having a hard time waiting though, it’s killing me!
Brilliant!!! Thank you!!! The chemistry of the cast, writing and acting are all wrapped up in a nice package!! I would want to watch this in 2030 but as others put it…I might not be around
It is wonderful watching a good clean show that is so well written that they don’t have to put the ‘junk’ in it to captivate an audience. Best solution keep producing episodes every year or so until 2030 
To the fans like me: a little delay as much as we hate it…keeps the desire and craving alive.
sherlock is the best since basil rathbone and nigel booth. it would be a great cinima unjustice to not make this a weekly movie series. i am a big sherlock fan and buy old sherlock books as far back as i can find. ive read and re read sherlock since i was in grade school and am 64 now. hope for the best. ed kubicki