Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sherlock series 4: First picture of Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch hints at time travel

The BBC surprised fans this afternoon with a new image from the special

Tuesday 25 November 2014 13:24 EST
Comments
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the first look picture from next year's Sherlock special
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the first look picture from next year's Sherlock special (BBC)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The BBC has dropped a surprise new picture from the Sherlock special, showing lead stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in intriguing old-fashioned get up.

Executive producer Sue Vertue first tweeted an image of the new draft script by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, dated 22 November, before following up with a promised photo of Sherlock and John Watson (see above).

The accompanying hashtag, #221back, is a reference to Sherlock’s address of 221B Baker Street. It first appeared in July, when the BBC announced at 2.21pm that the detective drama would be returning in 2015, as previously hinted at by Freeman.

Fans have been told to expect “the most shocking and surprising series of Sherlock yet”, but have to wait until next Christmas for the special and a resulting 2016 fourth season.

“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,” said Moffat earlier this year.

Last month, Gatiss added that upcoming episodes will be "devastating". "Expect tragedy as well as adventure, that's just how it goes," he told Radio Times, before noting that the show's plotline will not necessarily follow that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original books.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in