Sherlock will return to BBC One for a third three-part series in 2013.
This news summary will be updated regularly as more details are revealed.
> Buy the Series 1-2 boxset on Amazon.
Returning cast: Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson, Louise Brealey as Molly Hooper, Jonathan Aris as Anderson, Rupert Graves returns as DI Greg Lestrade.
Executive producers: Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat.
» "The delay is completely insignificant as far as the [airdate] is concerned. It was just to fit around Benedict Cumberbatch’s schedule. We’ve got two scripts in second drafts. I haven't started yet because I'm still finishing up with Doctor Who. We're fine. The production delay means nothing at all. I was never going to present over the summer in the UK so this doesn’t affect that at all." (Steven Moffat)
» "Moriarty’s a one-shot deal in the original [books]. I don’t want [Sherlock] to turn into a show that’s about one villain and one hero." (Steven Moffat)
» "Hopefully there’ll be a shift [in the Molly/Sherlock relationship]... he’s asked for her help and he’s let her in in that way." (Louise Brealey)
» "We’ve got a good beginning, got a stormer of an end and we’ve got a stunning development in the middle... We want three must-see films." (Steven Moffat)
» "[Moriarty is] not going to be in [Series 3]." (Steven Moffat)
» "Between Dr Who AND Sherlock I'm like a nerd-secrets-piñata. If struck with a stick by a chubby child I'd spew Geek treasure." (director Colm McCarthy)
» "I think they're talking about [airing Series 3 in] the winter. Around Christmas but I'm not quite sure when." (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Episode 1: 'The Empty Hearse'
Writer: Mark Gatiss.
Director: Jeremy Lovering.
Guest cast: Amanda Abbington, Sharon Rooney as Laura.
Filming begins: Monday 18 March 2013.
» Teaser: "Rat." (Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss)
» "We know what we’re doing. If Sherlock Holmes is going to fake his own death, it better be the best faked death of all time. I think it’s pretty good." (Steven Moffat)
» "There's certain things about 'The Adventure of the Empty House' which feel set in stone because that's how Sherlock comes back, but at the same time we feel free to invent and to introduce new stuff to it. I always found it a little unlikely that Dr Watson's only reaction was to faint for instance - as supposed to possibly a stream of terrible swear words." (Mark Gatiss)
» "'The Empty House' is a good starting point…" (Mark Gatiss)
» "I don’t think people will be disappointed [by the Series 2 finale explanation]... I’m looking forward to how people react to it." (Louise Brealey)
» "Fainting might not quite cut it [when Watson discovers Sherlock is still alive]" (Martin Freeman)
» "Even we on reading the script aren't quite sure [how Sherlock survived in Series 2's finale]. Mark Gatiss is a clever fellow." (Martin Freeman)
» "You are in for an absolute stonker. It's going to be a treat. It's a terrific episode." (Benedict Cumberbatch)
» "Amanda Abbington joins ... in a role that significantly impacts upon the lives of John and Sherlock." (BBC)
» "[Mark Gatiss], Steven Moffat and I all know what happened [during Sherlock's fall in Series 2's finale]. It's kind of an agreement between the three of us. It's not like poor Mark was handed a poison chalice, 'Go on, sort that lot out!'" (Stephen Thompson)
Episode 2: 'The Sign of Three'
Writer: Stephen Thompson.
Director: Colm McCarthy.
Guest cast: Amanda Abbington, Helen Bradbury as Emma, Nicholas Asbury as The Landlord, Oliver Lansley, Yasmine Akram as Janine, Alistair Petrie as Major Sholto, Georgina Rich as Charlotte, Trixiebell Harrowell, Wendy Wason as Robyn McDonald, Alice Lowe, Ritu Arya as Gail, Tim Chipping.
Filming begins: Monday 22 April 2013.
Filming ends: Thursday 23 May 2013.
» Teaser: "Wedding." (Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss)
» "Lovely day for a wedding." (Sue Vertue)
Episode 3
Writer: Steven Moffat.
Director: Nick Hurran.
Filming begins: Late summer 2013.
» Teaser: "Bow." (Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss)
» "I think we’ve got a climax to [Series 3] that will have people just as frustrated as they ever were." (Steven Moffat)
What are your hopes for Series 3? Let us know below...
> Buy the Series 1-2 boxset on Amazon.
> Order the BBC's new official book, Sherlock: The Casebook, on Amazon.
Watch a clip from the Series 2 finale...
