Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Element-hairy!': Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman begin filming Sherlock series 4 in Bristol

Co-writer Mark Gatiss has tweeted confirming that shooting is underway

Jess Denham
Wednesday 07 January 2015 12:23 GMT
Comments
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the first look picture from next year's Sherlock special
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the first look picture from next year's Sherlock special (BBC)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There may be almost a whole year to wait before Sherlock returns to our tellys, but fans can find some solace in the fact that shooting has already begun on the hit detective drama.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are returning to their roles as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson for a fourth series of the show, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic.

Co-writer Mark Gatiss tweeted on Monday that he was en route to start filming, writing “On my way West. It begins…#Sherlock” on the social media site.

Shortly afterwards, Sherlock’s cast were spotted arriving at Bristol music venue Colston Hall and Gatiss posted a picture of a clapperboard, complete with a moustached face and caption reading “Element-hairy, my dear Watson!”.

The scenes currently being shot are for the show’s Christmas special, which will air in December before further episodes in 2016.

Producers hinted recently that viewers can expect “big changes” in “devastating” new episodes.

“Expect tragedy as well as adventure, that’s just how it goes,” Gatiss told Radio Times last November.

“Just because it’s in the stories, doesn’t mean it’ll happen in the series. There’s an awful lots of changes and an awful lot of places to go and things to do.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in