Fans might see the beloved tandem of Sherlock and Watson in the small screen earlier than they expected. "Sherlock" season 4 is slated to premiere next year, but Martin Freeman's latest statement seems to suggest a change in schedule.

During a brief appearance on "The Graham Norton Show," the actor, who plays the role of the titular detective's right hand man, has revealed interesting information about the date of their return.

"We are back filming now and the three shows will, I imagine, be out around Christmas," Freeman said, implying that "Sherlock" season 4 might make it to a 2016 premiere after all.

The word is that the new season of the drama will premiere in 2017. The delay was due to the jam-packed schedules of the lead stars gracing the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the recent months.

Freeman appeared in "Captain America: Civil War" and Sherlock Holmes himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, snagged the titular role in "Doctor Strange." Apart from those, they also did various different projects.

"Sherlock" season 4 is billed to be darker than the previous season. Freeman's character and his wife Mary will now be parents, which is deemed the "biggest ever challenge" they will face.

Mary will also be more involved in Sherlock and Watson's dealings in the new season. After proving herself an asset -- she was an assassin, and she still knows how to give a beatdown -- she will be made part of the team.

"Sherlock" season 4 is also expected to see the return of Andrew Scott as Sherlock's rival James Moriarty, who was believed to be dead in the previous season, and the emergence of a third Holmes brother, who is said to be portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.

Co-creators and executive producers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss described the upcoming season to BBC, saying: "Ghosts of the past are rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson bringing adventure, romance and terror in their wake. This is the story we've been telling from the beginning. A story about to reach its climax."