"Sherlock" fans have been waiting for the next season of the detective series since right after Season 3 ended, and unlike most shows on television with fixed return schedules, Sherlock make fans feel that they're waiting on movie installments instead.
Producer Steven Moffat dropped some hints about the new season during the Emmys earlier this year, saying that they were planning to top the phenomenal third season finale.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Moffat said, "We have a plan to top it - and actually I do think our plan is devastating," he teased. "We practically reduced our cast to tears by telling them the plan. Honestly, Mark [Gatiss] and myself are so excited with what we've got coming up, probably more excited than we've ever been about Sherlock. ... Honestly I think we can [top the last season]."
The show's popularity really surged by its third year, and Moffat spoke of the recognition it received for the last season, saying that he was glad they made it in America.
In a report from Christian Today, Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays the titular Sherlock), shared that the Season 4 Christmas special will give the detective a hard time during the season.
He said, "We've never seen [Sherlock] being really pressed yet, so that will be interesting."
Rumors claim that Sherlock's nemesis, Moriarty, will be back from the grave and will shake things up that will cause Sherlock's obsession, but so far, those rumors have not been confirmed.
This rumor may also be more of the fans' loyalty to the Sherlock-Moriarty dynamic. According to the Latin Times, Moffat has made it clear that Moriarty cannot be alive. "He can't come back from that. He shot himself in the face. What more do you want?"
The Latin Times also said that Moffat assured viewers of the women playing bigger parts than they did in the first three seasons. Moffat said, "A female perspective on that friendship and on that man is incredibly telling, incredibly illuminating. So we've expanded hugely the part of Mrs. Hudson [played by Una Stubbs] because she didn't speak in the original. And we brought Molly in."
Sherlock is slated to return early 2016, but a Christmas special for December 2015 should tide fans over until the next season begins.