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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Bring back on. This programme and white chapel has been the best in ages (except sons of anarchy)
haha did you just say and sons of anarchy? are you twelve years old? the show is beyond awful a very poor man’s breaking bad
Wow!!! Just cannot wait for my dear Sherlock! All my friends just are talking about. i watched all episodes again just after the tests. it’s perfect!
sherlock holmes character played by benidict cumberbatch is marvellous… he definetly deserves this character….can’t waint anymore for season 3….
I’m going to have to wait until I’m thirty Three?! Oh my god. I have to wait longer than I’ve been alive. T-T
Best tv show I’ve seen hands down! Keep them coming!!
I need this! I’ve been absolutely obsessed since I first discovered this series though I hate to have to wait this long
what sherlock season 3 episode name???
eagerly waitin wat s gng 2 happen in d nxt sequence al d best 2 moffet n cumberbatch specially;-)
@chandan, learn to type in English! I’m impressed you can spell sequence
of course not i cant wait and kill myself!
Too bad they killed Moriarty he was an excellent villain and actor.
I was worried for awhile that there wouldn’t be an upcoming seaon. So naturally I was excited to read this article. Summer2013 can not get here fast enough.<3
i honestly hope they dont make us wait till 2030 cause i dont know if i will be dead or alive then…its middle east for you.
but i dont think it is coming in summer of 2013… maybe for 2014…
so how much long time will it take to release season 3 if i dont see sherlock i feel bored
SHERLOCK HOLMES FOREVER!! Can’t wait for season 3! Greatest series I have watched ever! Hands down to Moffat and Gattis! You have a lot of fans here in the Philippines!
I canot wait til the new season!! Cumberbatch and Freeman are so great for these roles! There could not be another sherlock or dr.walston then them!! It is amazing:) summer 2013 SHERLOCK! Yes!
I am so addicted to this show from the first episode i saw.I try to watch other shows but there just not good enough compare the amazing “Sherlock”.Therefor i hope season 3 would appear faster,and also if you havent watch this show i highly recommend it .
There is an american version of SH called Elementary. Okay it’s no where near as good as Sherlock but its not too bad either. Nine episodes have already aired with more to come. Something to tide us over until webget the next season of Sherlock.
Id love to hear everyone comments on Elementary.
There is an american version of SH called Elementary. Okay it’s no where near as good as Sherlock but its not too bad either. Something to tide us over until webget the next season of Sherlock. Id love to hear everyone comments on Elementary.
I had never even heard of this show… I just happened across it and BOOM! What a terrific show! I love it! I’ve really enjoyed a few British shows, but all comedies, this is the best drama I’ve ever seen from the BBC. Can’t wait for 2013.
Not entirely sure if the poll is trying to be snarky, or just a typo… >.> Anyway, I hope the rumors that EW is reporting about it possibly being cancelled are false. Being in the US (and without cable, so no BBC America channel), I only JUST started watching this, on Netflix. And I’m hooked. Can’t wait for the return!
I absolutely love Sherlock! I am anticipating the return! (I am American, but I wish I was British to watch Sherlock sooner!!!!)
So when they’re done with however many series they’re going to make, they’re going to have a 20 year leave and then come back?
nonononononononononononononononono
I don’t know if it’s from watching too much of this show that I’m left to ponder about the vote. How odd would it be if Moriarty returned in 2030? Didn’t vote due to my own confusion…
I’ve been watching on netflix too. Any idea when it will air on it? I love the show and can’t wait till season 3. I would like to watch it in 2030 but honestly I’d probably forget about it by then.
Dying to see Season 3..My favorite TV series ever
may they please hurry up for season 3 because I am dying without Sherlock
it is the best series ever invented
Please keep this series going. It is one of the most interesting physiological thrillers out there. Im sorry it IS the most thrilling. All of it is exceptional in every way. DO KEEP IT GOING.
Please keep this series going. It is one of the most interesting psychological and physiological thrillers out there. I’m sorry it IS the most thrilling. All of it is exceptional in every way.
please bring it back in 2013!!