Benedict Cumberbatch Suspects Series 4 Might Be the End of Sherlock

[The Nth Doctor]

A.V. Club reports that Benedict Cumberbatch suspects series 4 might the end of Sherlock. This notion is contrary to previous reports that Cumberbatch has signed for series 5 (in conjunction with series 4, reported in early 2014) and that Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have "plotted" series 5.

It feels like the end of an era, to be honest. It goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately. We never say never on the show. I’d love to revisit it, I’d love to keep revisiting it, I stand by that, but in the immediate future we all have things that we want to crack on with and we’ve made something very complete as it is, so I think we’ll just wait and see. The idea of never playing him again is really galling.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised considering Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have such busy schedules, especially for Cumberbatch as he head dives into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

 

[The Wormhole]

Hardly a surprise. As you say, scheduling for Cumberbatch and Freeman is starting to get to be a hassle, and is largely why we've had to wait this long for season 4. Even if there were a fifth season that would definitely be the end, since IIRC at that point all the "key" Conan Doyle stories would have been covered.

especially for Cumberbatch as he head dives into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Freeman's also involved in the MCU. Granted, Cumberbatch has the larger role, but IIRC Freeman's character is rumoured to return in the Black Panther movie.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Yeah, I didn't mention Freeman because we don't know the extent of his future role in the MCU. At most right now it's just possibly Black Panther and any potential sequels, whereas Cumberbatch has the two Avengers sequels and any potential sequels for Dr. Strange.

 

[Commander Richard]

I'm not surprised either given how his career is going but he could still revisit the character in 5, 10 or 20 years.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Benedict Cumberbatch Suspects Series 4 Might Be the End of Sherlock.

I see what you did there....

 

[Ometiklan]

Until we hear something definite, I am filing this away under "not likely". Much like Daniel Craig and Bond, it is likely that when they have just finished a series it seems inconceivable that they would do another one. But they have said many times in the past that they all like the idea of revisiting the series as they come up with stories, as they have time in their schedules, and as they age to bring a different viewpoint to the stories and characters.

Plus Moffat and Gatiss said they already have plans for season 5.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Well, having "plans" for storylines isn't the same thing as a concrete and confirmed schedule of production.

 

[The Wormhole]

Yeah, I suspect by "plans" they just mean they already know which stories they're going to adapt in that season.

 

[bigdaddy]

I'm fine with waiting. Columbo lived on for many many many years, they can do the same here.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Not just Columbo but plenty of other British shows are like that such as Prime Suspect (which I still need to watch).

 

[eyeresist]

It feels like the end of an era, to be honest. It goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately.

Of course, you could also say that for the ends of seasons 2 and 3.
This may be it for the moment, but barring accidents I think we'll see a return at some point.
In the audio commentaries, Gatiss and Moffat have talked about how their version is unusual in that we see that characters relatively young, but they've also talked about how great it would be to see C'batch and Freeman age into the roles, so that they end up bantering in armchairs like Rathbone and Bruce.
And they all enjoy making the show, so maybe they'll pick up the series later - after C'batch's career has declined from its current stratospheric heights.

 

[Green Shirt]

Hell, its been so long I forgot all about this show.