Sherlock season four is currently set to hit our screens next year – well, as long as Benedict Cumberbatch can make the time! – and while we were couldn't wait for the return of our favorite detective and his trusted side-kick, Dr. Watson, but now we're not so sure.
Series creator and co-writer Steven Moffat has been hinting to a much "darker" miniseries ahead of the show's return, claiming he and Mark Gatiss have got some nasty tricks up their sleeve.
Speaking at Monday night's Emmy awards, following their triple win at the ceremony, Steven got a good grilling on what was going on with Sherlock's long awaited comeback and how on earth would they top season three after its finale, His Last Vow, won the award for Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special.
It sounds as though we could be in for a bumpy ride, as the co-producer revealed: "We have a plan to top it. And I do think our plan is devastating.
Will we see one of our favourite characters killed off in season four of Sherlock? (BBC Pictures)
"We've practically reduced our cast to tears telling them the plan … we're probably more excited that we've ever been about Sherlock."
Speaking at the HBO after-party, Mark Gatiss shared more information, explaining to Entertainment Weekly: "We're going to try to take it somewhere we've never been before — and I don't mean outer space.
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"It will be a challenging place to go. We always start with a re-introduction that builds toward a darker climax — we might just be going darker [from the outset]. We got a very, very good set of ideas." We're scared!
But we've got a while to wait to see just how devastating the guy's plan is, as Sherlock hasn't even begun filming yet.
Steven Moffat talks "darker" Sherlock (WENN)
This week, the crime-drama finally ended its run of walking away empty handed at the Emmy Awards, returning to the UK with three of the night's top prizes. As well as scooping the prize for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or A Dramatic Special, Benedict Cumberbatch won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a TV Miniseries or Movie while Martin Freeman also beat off tough competition to claim the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.
Last week, His Last Vow also won four Creative Emmy Awards. Following Monday night's ceremony, Steven said: "When we started on Sherlock, we thought it was a simple, private thing - good but not celebrated.
"We are still reeling from its success, and the joy it has brought so many! We came out to LA thinking we would take nothing home but the memory of a great night - to have won seven Emmys in total is something none of us will ever forget."
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Benedict Cumberbatch filming on the set of Sherlock series three (Credit: WENN)
