2014年7月2日、イギリス時間午後2:21に、BBCより待ちに待った「SHERLOCK/シャーロック」特別編1話と、「SHERLOCK/シャーロック」シリーズ4全3話の製作が発表されました。

「SHERLOCK/シャーロック スペシャル」は2015年1月より撮影開始。「SHERLOCK/シャーロック シリーズ4」は、2015年後半に撮影開始の予定とのこと。

脚本家であり共同プロデューサーのスティーヴン・モファットは「次にシャーロックとジョンに起きることは、誰も予想だにしなかったこと」、マーク・ゲイティスは「シャーロックとジョンに、今までより深く暗い出来事が待ち受けている」と述べています。

BBC MEDIA CENTRE："Miss me?" The nation's favourite detective returns to BBC One

Sherlock, the hit BBC One drama produced by Hartswood Films, will return to screens for a Special, followed by a series of three new episodes. The last series saw Sherlock’s life change a lot - he returned from the dead, his best friend John Watson married Mary Morstan and he met his match in Charles Augustus Magnussen. After the briefest of exiles, Sherlock came back only to face one of his biggest mysteries yet. Why is Moriarty’s face being broadcast on every television in the land?

Speaking about the return of the series, co-creator, writer and executive producer Steven Moffat says: “A special, plus a new series of three episodes - it's a record-breaking run! Of course, it's far too early to say what's coming, but we're reasonably confident that the very next thing to happen to Sherlock and John, is the very last thing you'd expect...”

Co-creator, writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss, adds: “Series Four! At last ! It's always special to return to Sherlock but this time it's even more special as we're doing... a Special! Not only THAT, we'll then be shooting three more episodes which will take Sherlock and John Watson into deeper and darker water than ever before. The whole Sherlock team are terrifically excited to return for four new adventures. The Game is on - again!"

Sue Vertue, Executive Producer, Hartswood Films says: “It’s taken a little while to get the dates sorted as none of the boys are exactly sitting back twiddling their thumbs but there was unanimous goodwill to make this work, so we’re thrilled that 221b is going to be inhabited again.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, says: “It’s a very good day in the life of a BBC One Controller when you can announce Sherlock will return for a special plus a new three-part series. Massive thanks to Sue Vertue and Hartswood Films for pulling this off, it's no mean feat pinning down some of this country's most brilliant and in-demand actors and writers."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, says: "Steven and Mark are ready to unleash the most shocking and surprising series of Sherlock yet. The only thing to expect is the unexpected..."

Sherlock is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock is produced by Sue Vertue and the executive producers are Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for Hartswood Films, Bethan Jones for BBC Cymru Wales and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece.

Shooting on the special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later next year.

Commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.

BBC Oneはこの発表に合わせて公式Twitterアカウントのアイコンをめまぐるしく変化させました。

予告を出してから発表までは、モリアーティ。発表時はシャーロックとジョンが並んだアイコン。発表後は鹿撃ち帽を被ったBBCロゴのアイコン。

また、テレビ放送中のBBCニュースの中でも「SHERLOCK RETURNS - Sherlock special to begin shooting in 2015」と速報が流れました。

Sherlock returns: http://t.co/eeP1ziuNaH. #221back pic.twitter.com/0YQDQ4Ossw

— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014

放送予定はまだ未定。ただ、撮影予定から考えると2015年のクリスマスに特番が放送される可能性は高いかもしれません。

シャーロックを演じるベネディクト・カンバーバッチが、2015年8月から10月までロンドンで舞台「Hamlet」に出演しているため、シリーズ4の撮影は早くても舞台が終わってからではないかと思われます。

"Miss me?" #Sherlock, the hit @BBCOne drama, will return for a Special, followed by a series of three new episodes. #221back

— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014

After the briefest of exiles, #Sherlock will return to face one of his biggest mysteries yet... #221back

— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014

Shooting on the #Sherlock special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later next year. #221back

— BBC One (@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

— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014

*Dons deerstalker in anticipation* #Sherlock #221back pic.twitter.com/VhFNqIrLSx

— BBC One (@BBCOne) July 2, 2014