Production on SHERLOCK Season 3 Underway

The actors have been assembled for their first table read, and shooting begins next week on the third season of BBC One’s fantastic modern day updating of the classic Victorian sleuth, Sherlock Holmes.  However, unlike other shows which see 4 or 5 months between seasons – or in the case of cable shows that go on hiatus for almost a year;  it’s been quite a while since viewers last saw Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman play Holmes and Watson.

In Sherlock‘s Season 2 finale ‘The Reichenbach Fall’, Sherlock Holmes was forced to leap off the top of a building and presumably fall to his death in order to ensure the safety of his friends. It was one of TV’s nail-biting moments of 2012, however as the final moments of the series came to a close – it was revealed that Holmes had in fact survived – and so began the waves of internet speculation.

The episode was inspired by “The Final Problem” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in an attempt kill off the character so he could be free to pursue other literary efforts. Though as history tells us – the public response was not kind to Doyle ending the character’s adventures and the author was eventually forced to resurrect the super sleuth.  However, as Doyle had unknowingly left the door open to allow Holmes to return, Steven Moffat co-creator of BBC’s Sherlock wanted to go one step further in order to make the death seem all the more believable.

There are plenty of theories online, however Moffat believes that many people have missed the clues. In an interview with the U.K’s the Guardian shortly after the finale aired, the show’s creator divulged that they’ve actually shot some of the explanation, ( most likely for continuity ) however you can be sure there are more scenes necessary to fully explain Holmes’s cunning deception.

Actors Cumberbatch and Freeman have been busy with film roles which is why there has been a longer than normal break between seasons, however both actors have said that they can see themselves playing these characters for many years to come.

Speaking recently with RadioTimes, Cumberbatch confirmed that he’s already signed on for a fourth season:

We’ve agreed to two more series but I could get into trouble for saying that. All I know at the moment is I’m doing these three [episodes of the upcoming series] and another three.

He added that he is keen on seeing the show go beyond the fourth, but this all depends on the schedules of all the talent involved – including co-creator Steven Moffat who also runs Doctor Who.

It just depends on Martin and I’s availability, how long we can keep it going. It depends on Steven’s ability. I’d love to keep it going.

Filming for the first two episodes begins next week, then shooting will take a break to allow Freeman to complete re-shoots on the continuing Hobbit prequels, then the actors will return later in the year to film the season finale.

Expect Sherlock Season 3 to air late 2013 – early 2014.