WhileBenedict Cumberbatchmakes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut this November withDoctor Strange, he’s also reprising the role that launched him into the mainstream: Sherlock Holmes. The BBC seriesSherlockbroke out in a huge way when it launched in 2010, but the longevity of the series was called into question given the growing popularity of its stars Cumberbatch andMartin Freeman. They make three 90-minute episodes per season, which usually takes around four to six months to film, so their willingness to come back is a testament to the quality of the series.
After last December’s divisive Christmas specialSherlock: The Abominable Bride, the series returns in earnest this year withSherlockSeason 4, and the episode titles have now been revealed. Well,almostall of the episode titles—the title of the third and final episode ofSherlockSeason 4 is being kept under wraps for the time being, presumably because it’s a spoiler for one of the episodes that precedes it.
The first episode out of the gate is called “The Six Thatchers”, which is likely based on theArthur Conan Doylestory “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons” that revolved around the identity of a man who had been shattering busts of Napoleon. The episode was helmed byTank GirldirectorRachel Talalaywho makes herSherlockdebut after directing episodes ofDoctor Who.
The second episode is titled “The Lying Detective,” which is probably based on the Doyle story “The Adventure of the Dying Detective.” That story revolved around a deathly ill Holmes while Watson attempted to discover what was ailing him.Nick Hurran, who helmed the Season 3 episode “His Last Vow” directs. The mysterious third episode is directed byBenjamin Caron, whose credits includeSkins,Wallander, and the cinematic broadcast ofKenneth Branagh’s staging ofThe Winter’s Tale.
Cumberbatch has already revealed that he’s signed on for a fifth season of the show, and given the quality (and pure entertainment factor) of the series thus far, I’m more than willing to keep watching for however long they want to keep making it.SherlockSeason 4 premieres in the UK on July 22, 2025.
