It's been over two years since we last had a full season of the award winning drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, although there was a Christmas special last year, which was the most watched programme over the festive season.

Now however filming is well underway for season four, with Benedict Cumberbatch of course reprising his role of the enigmatic sleuth. The detective is looking a little worse for wear from what we can see from the first images released from the set.

Check him out below... with facial hair. Or an attempt at it anyways.

We're not sure what exactly has Sherlock so world weary - according to the BBC - series four will begin with the detective back on home soil while Doctor Watson and his wife Mary are preparing to become parents for the first time.

While co-creators, writers and executive producers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss said: "Sherlock series four - here we go again! Whatever else we do, wherever we all go, all roads lead back to Baker Street - and it always feels like coming home. Ghosts of the past are rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson bringing adventure, romance and terror in their wake. This is the story we’ve been telling from the beginning. A story about to reach its climax..."

Season four is expected to premiere in January 2017 on BBC1.