It has been a year since the hit BBC series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective novel, "Sherlock," returned with its fourth season. At this point, there is still uncertainty about the next chapter of "Sherlock" as its showrunners and main actors are still busy with other projects, although there is hope that the fifth series will be released sometime in the future. However, Martin Freeman, who plays Sherlock Holmes' partner, James Watson, gave a discouraging sign that season 5 may not even happen.
In an interview with Telegraph UK, Freeman expressed his doubt that "Sherlock" season 5 will ever be produced, citing the criticisms that the recent chapter has received from the fans. It looks like the fans' expectation for the series has already outgrown the potential of the show, and the people working behind the camera may not be able to give what the viewers would like to see in season 5.
"I think after series four, it felt like a pause," Freeman said. "I think we felt we'd done it for a bit now, and part of it, speaking for myself, is due to the reception of it. People's expectations, some of it's not fun any more."
The ending sequence of "Sherlock" series 4 suggests that the famous detective from Baker Street will be back someday, although it can be argued that the final scene is satisfying enough to wrap up the entire show.
However, "Sherlock" executive producers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have both mentioned that "Sherlock" season 5 is very much on the cards. The only issue is the long period of waiting for the continuation of series 4, just like the case in the past years after the premiere of the latest season.
Per Digital Spy, it took roughly 18 months to release "Sherlock" season 2, then there was a 2-year hiatus before the premiere of the third season. Season 4 only came 3 years after the previous one, although there were a few special episodes released in between the two seasons.
As for season 5, it is possible that the fans would have to wait another 2 or 3 years, but Moffat already gave a hint that the fifth series might arrive a bit later as he and Gatiss are currently focused on another television project, "Dracula."
