Ever since "Sherlock" season 3 ended in 2014, fans have been itching for the show to be back, only to be told that the new season will premiere in 2016. Two years is certainly a long wait, but BBC will offer a 2015 Christmas treat for all the fans out there. 

The Christmas Special 

BBC loves their Christmas specials and "Sherlock" will be offering a stand-alone adventure for its fans. According to Movie Pilot, the holiday treat is dated way back to the 1800s Victorian Era England. The date was chosen because Sherlock Holmes was very popular at the time. 

Avid fans may have already gotten the clue in season 2. In one of John Watson's blog pages, this was the same number written, which means that the creators have been planning this adventure for a while now. 

Season 4 Details 

"Sherlock" season 3 had a great ending with John and Mary getting married. However, the revelations of executive producers Mark Gattis and Steven Moffat hint at something ominous that's to come. Moffat confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that season 4 will pick up right where season 3 left off.

"It's great that he's back and John's got a wife and Sherlock likes her and isn't it adorable, and then it all goes to hell. Remember where we left them," Moffat said. 

What Moffat meant by "hell" is uncertain, but he did say that season 4 will be about consequences. Immediately, speculations point to the death of Mary as written in the original Conan Doyle stories. In fact, Gatiss already said that the new season will be "devastating." 

Actor Martin Freeman also hinted at Mary's death. In a talk with The Telegraph, Freeman said, "While we play fast and loose with the original stories, we generally follow the trajectory of what Conan Doyle did. So [Watson] gets married and then Mary dies – so at some point presumably she'll die." 

The "Sherlock" Christmas special has no official date yet, but filming has been completed. It's going to be a dark season ahead when the show returns in 2016.