'Sherlock' season 4 release date spoilers: Toby Jones's character to become 'the darkest villain' yet

Sherlock Facebook/Sherlock.BBCW

Fans of "Sherlock" may still have to wait until 2017 to see fresh episodes of the series, but lead star Benedict Cumberbatch and series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss were generous to discuss more details about the show's upcoming season.

During the round table interviews at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, the trio talked to Collider about how dark the upcoming season will be and dropped hints at the new villain, who will be introduced in season 4.

According to Cumberbatch, the upcoming season will undoubtedly be the darkest one that they have ever made for the series.

"You're talking about the end of the universe darkness. You can't see in front of you and would walk into everything dark," the actor who portrays the titular role said.

Meanwhile, Moffat revealed that the character that "Infamous" star Toby Jones will portray in the upcoming season of "Sherlock" will be nothing like the previous villains of the series.

"He's the darkest villain we've had," the series co-creator said about the still-unnamed character. "There was always something charming and engaging about Moriarty. There was something fascinating and actually amoral, rather than immoral, about Charles Augustus Magnussen. This guy is the purest evil. Sherlock is actually appalled by him. He's the most evil villain we've had. I don't think that when you see it, you will disagree. He's horrific."

Will Sherlock have his hands full between the still-unnamed villain and the possible return of his archenemy, Moriarty (Andrew Scott), in the upcoming season?

Meanwhile, series co-creator and actor Gatiss explained why his character Mycroft continues to spy on his brother Sherlock, saying that the older Holmes is simply doing this because of his love for his younger brother. According to Gatiss, using his extensive resources to look after his brother is his own way of showing concern.

"Sherlock" season 4 is expected to premiere on BBC One sometime in 2017.

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