While season four of the BBC One and MASTERPIECE series, Sherlock, does not go into production until April 2016, a special episode, Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride,” will air on both BBC One and PBS, January 1, 2016. Perhaps this will reassure long-suffering fans that Sherlock has not been cancelled. The last new episode of Sherlock: “His Last Vow,” aired on PBS on Sunday, February 2, 2014. The seemingly permanent hiatus has been even longer for Sherlock‘s UK audience. This is the first time the series will debut on the same day, in both countries. It shouldn’t have taken BBC One and PBS three seasons to deduce that in the internet age, airing a mystery in UK months prior to the US airing, is less than optimal. Where spoiler containment is concerned, a same-day premiere is elementary.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return as the modern-day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In this new PBS special, the sleuths will find themselves in 1890s London. Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride,” also stars Amanda Abbington as Mary Morstan; Rupert Graves as Inspector Lestrade; and Una Stubbs as the delightful Mrs. Hudson. The 90-minute special premieres Friday, January 1, 2016 on MASTERPIECE Mystery! on PBS at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, and simultaneously online at pbs.org/masterpiece, with an encore broadcast on Sunday, January 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Set your DVRs.
Read the press release:
MASTERPIECE and PBS Announce New “Sherlock” Special to Premiere on January 1
– Event Marks the First Time for a “Sherlock” US-UK Same Day Premiere –
October 24, 2015 – MASTERPIECE and PBS today announced that “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride,” a 90-minute special, will premiere Friday, January 1, 2016 on MASTERPIECE Mystery! on PBS at 9:00 p.m. ET, and simultaneously online at pbs.org/masterpiece. The special will have an encore broadcast on Sunday, January 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET. This is the first time that “Sherlock” has premiered in the US and the UK on the same day.
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic stories. But now our heroes find themselves in 1890s London. Beloved characters Mary Morstan (played by Amanda Abbington), Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs) also turn up at 221b Baker Street. “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride” is a 90-minute “Sherlock” special.
“Sherlock”, Season 4, will go into production in Spring 2016. Airdate TBD.
“Sherlock” is produced by Hartswood Films for BBC One and co-produced by MASTERPIECE. It was created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride” was co-written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. The executive producers are Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE.
We have already reported on the trailer for Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride” here. Enjoy!
What do you think? Have you been waiting for season four of Sherlock on PBS and BBC One? Will the Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride” special help tide you over, or is it just a tease? How do you think Sherlock and John end up in Victorian London? Do you plan to watch? Let us know.
