'Sherlock' Season 4 updates and rumors: Moriarty's fate, filming to start early 2016

BBC's hit series "Sherlock" starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role and Martin Freeman as John Watson will return to television in 2017, and filming of the show's fourth season is expected to take place early this year. Since the conclusion of Season 3, rumors have been buzzing around the internet about the future of Sherlock Holmes.

It was earlier reported that the new season of "Sherlock" will be up this year but in a PBS press event, network president Paula Kerger revealed that fans will have to wait until 2017 for the new episodes,

"We do have the next Sherlock announced, coming up about a year from now," Kerger told the media. "As you know, Benedict has gotten to be somewhat popular since we began our work with him and he very much wants to continue with Sherlock.

"As you know, they are produced almost like films and we're hoping the next one will be about a year from now."

The thrilling cliffhanger in Season 3 finale suggests that the villain Jim Moriarty, played by Andrew Scott, may be very much alive. It can be recalled in Season 2 finale that Moriarty shot himself in his mouth while Sherlock presumably jumped to his death, only to be revealed in the final scene that he is alive. However, the final scenes of Season 3 hinted that Moriarty also survived his death, with messages appearing all over London saying, "Did you miss me?"

While fans may think that Moriarty has his own genius way to fake his death just like what Sherlock did, the series co-creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss revealed in a discussion in the Post-mortem episode of "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" that Moriarty really did kill himself. However, Moffat only gave a tease regarding Moriarty's fate, saying that his character may or may not return in Season 4.

The "Abominable Bride" is a special episode of "Sherlock" that premiered last December, taking the characters in an alternative timeline and back to their Victorian roots. The character of Moriarty was not present in this episode. 

In an interview with Collider last year, Moffat hinted at the preparations being done for Sherlock's return, saying that shooting will begin around April this year. Filming is reported to take place at the Pinewood Studios in Wales.

Moffat sat down for an interview with Entertainment Weekly, giving hints of a more frightening and darker new season.

"We're certainly going to put them through the mill. It's going to be more of an emotional upheaval. Hopefully enjoyable and fun, all the things Sherlock must always be. It will be tough at times. Maybe that's the word? A tougher series," Moffat said.

The long wait for Season 4 may be worth it, as Radiotimes reported Moffat talking to the audience of Season 3 finale's BAFTA screening, saying he and Gatiss (who also plays a part in the series as Sherlock's brother, Mycroft) have also plotted a fifth season along with Season 4.