Sherlock season 4: Drama set for Christmas 2015 special, says Martin Freeman

The actor says he 'understands' a Christmas 2015 special is in the pipeline

Sherlock series three: Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson (BBC)

Sherlock looks set to return for a Christmas special, Martin Freeman has revealed.

But fans hoping to catch up with Sherlock and Watson will have to wait until 2015 for another instalment.

Producers have struggled to finalise a filming schedule due to the cast’s acting commitments, but Freeman has hinted there will be a Sherlock Christmas special in 2015.

Update: BBC confirms Sherlock will return in 2015

“I think that might be for next Christmas. A Christmas special. That’s what I understand,” he told The Telegraph, adding: “I’m speaking off-message here; if this was New Labour I’d get fired.”

Freeman is currently preparing to star as Richard III on stage at Trafalgar Studios in London, having finished filming on the forthcoming Hobbit film The Battle of the Five Armies.

He recently appeared in the US TV series Fargo, a re-make of the Coen Brothers’ crime film.

Cumberbatch’s acting schedule also looks busy. The actor will join Freeman to take on the role of Shakespeare’s Richard III, but for a TV drama on BBC2 instead.

He is also due to star as Hamlet at the Barbican in London from August to October in 2015.

Last month, Mark Gatiss dismissed rumours that Sherlock would return as a one-off TV film rather than a series.

“There was talk [of a single film, but] amongst people who have nothing to do with Sherlock, I’m afraid,” he said.

Read more: BBC announces Sherlock will return in 2015
Mark Gatiss confirms Sherlock will return as series