7 Reasons Sherlock Series 4 Should Be The Last

We've already mentioned the comments of Benedict Cumberbatch, but it's worth exploring them in greater depth. As we said previously, this does not mean that 'Sherlock' is definitely ending with series four. Not only would the BBC crucify him for saying so, that's not even what he said.

Cumberbatch said that it's "the end of an era" and that the series felt "complete". Which only suggests that the ongoing plot and character arcs from the previous three seasons are drawn to a close. He also said that he'd love to revisit it, suggesting that there isn't any immediate plans to schedule in filming on a fifth series. This is why we're fairly sure that the show will transition to one-off specials every few years. It gives them more time to pull everyone's schedules together, develop and refine the script and it builds anticipation for the audience. In story terms, it also allows them to let the characters process what happens to them rather than having to blitz into the next mystery.

There's a precedent for this. Between 1984 and 1994, Granada Television produced 'Sherlock Holmes' adventures for ITV that starred Jeremy Brett as the eponymous detective. Though it started with a series of weekly episodes, it gradually progressed to a handful of feature-length specials that aired sometimes up to a year apart. There were other reasons for this behind-the-scenes, but it does tend to be the natural progression for the 'Sherlock Holmes' TV format as the character (and actor) gets older.