Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat has revealed that the hit detective show will come to an end when Benedict Cumberbatch decides to leave. 

The show, which is one of the BBC’s biggest exports around the world and will go into filming for its fourth season next year, is back for a one-off special set during the Victorian era to be broadcast on New Year’s Day. 

Regarding the future of the show without its leading man, Moffat told Variety, ‘once Benedict Cumberbatch gives up Sherlock what are we going to do? 

We are going to stop, that’s what we are going to do.’ 




Comparing Sherlock’s format to his other worldwide hit, Doctor Who, the writer added, ‘Most shows have a built-in mortality.  But here is a show that sheds us all like scales; a show that can make you feel everything except indispensable.  It will carry on forever, because you can replace every part of it. 

Doctor Who is the all-time perfectly evolved television show.  It’s a television predator designed to survive any environment because you can replace absolutely everybody.  Most shows you can’t do that with.’ 

Sherlock, The Abominable Bride airs on BBC One on Jan 1, 2016

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