That's the good news. The bad news? It's not even going to start shooting until January 2015.
So say hello to the longest wait for some onscreen Sherlock and Watson action ever. The BBC tweeted all this info this afternoon after allowing the deerstalker-capped detective and his associates to take over the profile in the last 24 hours.
"Did you miss me?" #221back. #Sherlock https://t.co/sJXE1VeFaG
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 1, 2014
It's all gone dark... Something's coming... Or someone. Details at 2.21pm tomorrow. #221back #Sherlock
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 1, 2014
"Miss me?" #Sherlock, the hit @BBCOne drama, will return for a Special, followed by a series of three new episodes. #221back
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
After the briefest of exiles, #Sherlock will return to face one of his biggest mysteries yet... #221back
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
...why is Moriarty’s face being broadcast on every television in the land? #Sherlock #221back pic.twitter.com/q39RHTrmB0
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
Shooting on the #Sherlock special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later next year. #221back
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
We're ready to unleash the most shocking and surprising series of #Sherlock yet. The only thing is to expect is the unexpected... #221back
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
The Game is on - again! #Sherlock #221back
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
*Dons deerstalker in anticipation* #Sherlock #221back pic.twitter.com/VhFNqIrLSx
— Sherlock - #221back (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014
Now we know Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are busy being hobbits and dragons and all sorts, but 2015? Really? That's a cruel amount of time to make us wait. The BBC usually save their 'specials' for holidays, which means Sherlock isn't going to come back until Easter at the earliest, meaning we probably won't see season 4 until next December/Christmas. Boo-urns.