'Sherlock' season 4 to top season 3 grand finale

Sherlock season 3BBC

The fourth season of TV series "Sherlock" will top the last season, according to show co-creator Steven Moffat.

Moffat discussed the upcoming season of the series and revealed that the fourth series has plans to top the grand finale of season three with Moriarty back from the grave. Moffat also described season four to be devastating.

"We practically reduced our cast to tears by telling them the plan. Honestly, Mark [Gatiss] and myself are so excited with what we've got coming up, probably more excited than we've ever been about Sherlock. ... Honestly I think we can [top the last series]," he told Hollywood Reporter.

Moffat also reassured that the creative team behind the show will be back at work no matter how busy they may be with other projects.

As for the premiere of the "Sherlock" season four, Steven Moffat said that it all lies in the hands of BBC. Previous reports claimed that the hit TV series will be back for its fourth season but will only have three episodes. The show will also have a Christmas special in December 2015 before season four kicks off. The fourth season will be back on air in early 2016. BBC has not announced the exact date of the first episode.

The Christmas special of "Sherlock" next year will reportedly be based on the story of "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." However, this also has not yet been confirmed by BBC.

The filming of "Sherlock" season four will start in January 2015 and fans may have to wait longer for the new season. The delay in filming is due to the individual schedules of the series' actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Meanwhile, "Sherlock" was the big winner at the recent Emmy Awards as the main characters of the show bagged the top awards.