It looks like Detective Holmes will be facing off with a new bad guy when the fourth season of "Sherlock" returns next year.
According to report by British tabloid "Daily Mirror," 49-year-old actor Toby Jones has been cast to play as one of the show's main antagonists in Season 4.
Jones, who previously appeared in "The Hunger Games" franchise and the two "Captain America" films, said he is very eager to take on his role in "Sherlock," but did not give much details about the character he is playing.
"I'm excited and intrigued by the character I shall be playing in Sherlock," Jones was quoted by Daily Mirror as saying.
The show's executive producer, Steven Moffat, gave more clues about Jones' role, saying he will become one of Detective Holmes' classic enemies.
"I'm delighted to have Toby Jones on board, bringing to life one of Doyle's finest villains," Moffat said.
Earlier this month, the Cultbox website revealed a change in Jones' online resume that gave away his role in "Sherlock" Season 4. As it turned out, he will be bringing to life the murderous villain, Culverton Smith.
Smith's character reportedly originally appeared in "The Adventure of the Dying Detective," which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British author of the "Sherlock Holmes" franchise, wrote in 1913.
In the short story, Smith was described as "small, frail, twisted', but with 'a double chin...high bald head...and menacing grey eyes."
Smith uses his extensive knowledge of deadly tropical diseases to carry out his evil schemes, even going to the extent of killing his own nephew.
In the short story, the villain also plots to kill Detective Holmes using an infected spring-loaded device concealed in an ivory box. Holmes then pretends to be ill to force Smith to confess to his crimes.
For the fourth season of "Sherlock," Benedict Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Detective Holmes, while Martin Freeman will return as Doctor John Watson.
