Despite the booming careers of both stars, Sherlock is plugging away with a fourth season. Production for the acclaimed British drama began today, so there’s finally an expiration date (most likely early 2017) on the question left open by the third season’s finale: Is Moriarity still alive?
In a statement by show runner Steven Moffat, fans are given a mildly spoiler-y taste of things to come for the residents of 221B Baker Street.
“Sherlock series four — here we go again! Whatever else we do, wherever we all go, all roads lead back to Baker Street, and it always feels like coming home. Ghosts of the past are rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and terror and tragedy are looming. This is the story weve been telling from the beginning and it’s about to reach its climax.”
Yeah, that definitely sounds like Moriarity is less dead than a self-inflicted gunshot to the head would imply. Also, while he could just be referring to the climax of a certain storyline, there is a sense of finality in Moffat’s words about the upcoming season. While star Benedict Cumberbatch made it clear that he very much enjoys working on the show and would love to continue to do so for the foreseeable future, perhaps it’s time for Sherlock to hang up his deerstalker for good. Still, this is merely speculation, as no announcements have been made regarding a fifth season and beyond.
According to Masterpiece, season four “begins with the mercurial Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), back once more on British soil as Doctor Watson (Martin Freeman) and his wife Mary (Amanda Abbington) prepare for their biggest challenge yet: becoming parents.” While these words would normally be cause for excitement, Moffat’s talk of impending tragedy (and what happened in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories) does put a bit of a pall over that announcement.
On top of the news of the production’s commencement, it has also been announced that Rachel Talalay will direct the first episode of season four, serving as the first female director of the series. Talalay is a prolific television director, having done episodes of Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Doctor Who, and Supernatural, as well as the cult film Tank Girl. After a Christmas special about murderous feminists, this is probably a good move on Team Sherlock’s part.
