By Lacy Baugher for Drama on July 15th, 2016

Here’s the First Image From the New Season of ‘Sherlock’

"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch and his super cute new canine companion (Photo: Courtesy of Robert Viglasky/Hartswood Films for MASTERPIECE)

Picture shows: Sherlock (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH)

Hartswood Films 2016

A bright spot has appeared in the long wait for Sherlock Season 4.

Yes, the fourth season is still filming and we’re unlikely to see new episodes before early 2017. But there is a (tiny) light at the end of the tunnel at last. The BBC and Masterpiece have released the first image from the upcoming new season, and while it reveals literally nothing about what we can expect to see story-wise and doesn’t even feature both cast members, it’s still basically water in the desert for fans anxiously awaiting new material. 

The new photo features star Benedict Cumberbatch in full Sherlock Holmes gear, complete with his signature coat and scarf and sporting a new accessory – a fairly adorable bloodhound.

See for yourselves, straight from the official source: 

"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch and his super cute new canine companion (Photo: Courtesy of Robert Viglasky/Hartswood Films for MASTERPIECE)
"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch and his super cute new canine companion (Photo:  Courtesy of Robert Viglasky/Hartswood Films for MASTERPIECE) 

Where’s Martin Freeman? A mystery, indeed. (For the record, though, I'm definitely cool with more cute animals being worked into the Sherlock universe. Just saying.) 

All we know about Sherlock Season 4 to date is that it will once again be three episodes long, and feature stars Cumberbatch and Freeman as the world’s most famous detective duo. Familiar faces Rupert Graves, Amanda Abbington, Louise Brealey, and Una Stubbs are all returning, and the show’s added a new (as yet officially unnamed) villain in the form of the always awesome Toby Jones.

According to co-creator and head writer Steven Moffat, Season 4 will see “ghosts of the past rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, bringing adventure, romance and terror in their wake.”

And of course we also have to deal with that whole thing where Mary and John are having a baby. So, there’s a lot to cover.

In other Sherlock news, one-off special The Abominable Bride was nominated for six Emmy Awards this week, including a Lead Actor in a Television Limited Series or Movie nomination for Cumberbatch. Unfortunately, Cumberbatch has landed in one of the most difficult Emmy categories this year, facing off against fellow Brits Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston, as well as perennial Emmy favorite Bryan Cranston. This is probably why they say it’s just an honor to be nominated, yeah?  

Sherlock Season 4 doesn’t have an airdate currently, though the smart money is on the early part of next year.

Are you looking forward to it? Why or why not? 

By Lacy Baugher for Drama on July 15th, 2016
Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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