Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat has reignited fan enthusiasm for a potential fifth season of the revered BBC crime series. This modern reinterpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective tales, originally airing from 2010 to 2017, starred Benedict Cumberbatch as the iconic Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal companion, Dr. John Watson. Together, Moffat and co-creator Mark Gatiss successfully transported the legendary detective into the contemporary world, infusing it with wit and pulse-pounding drama across intricate mysteries. Despite the show concluding its original run seven years ago, fervent interest in a new installment persists, as fans eagerly await news on Sherlock season 5, while developments remain sparse.
In a recent interview with SFX, Moffat discussed the future of Sherlock, following producer Sue Vertue’s tentative remarks about the possibility of a revival. He pointed out that while the groundwork for a new season hasn’t been officially laid, he and Gatiss continue to harbor excitement regarding a return to the show. Moffat even hinted at the interest of exploring an older iteration of both Holmes and Watson, suggesting that the audience would welcome such a development.
“I’d love to do it again. Look, it’s not a format that wears out. It’s over a hundred years old and going strong, so why aren’t we making more?
Sue only said that because she was asked and suddenly it becomes an announcement about a film. There is no news here. We’re just fending off that question, as ever.
We would happily do it again and I hope someday that we do. It seems perverse not to. You make enough shows in your lifetime that no one gives a flying one about, so it’s nice to have one that people are passionate about. It’s almost presumptuous, almost arrogant, not to do it again. But there are no hard plans, none at all.
[We] actually do have an idea. The idea is basically go back and do it again—but slightly more specific than that… It would be nice to see them just a little bit older, because it was always very foregrounded in our version that they were younger, let alone the fact that they were updated. It’d be quite nice to see them at more of a Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke age, a bit more Rathbone and Bruce. I think that would be lovely. Now we can see the more famously middle-aged version.
There’s an audience waiting for it. It seems madness not to do it.”
Implications of Moffat’s Insights for Sherlock Season 5
On the Horizon for Sherlock
Moffat’s remarks continue to kindle hope for Sherlock season 5, despite the absence of concrete plans for production. His reflections resonate with Vertue’s recent expressions of cautious optimism regarding the continuation of the series. In October, Vertue mentioned the challenge of aligning everyone’s schedules, stating, “We love that show and there is a future for it […] It’s just getting everybody aligned, it’s getting the actors to want to do it.”
While there is considerable interest in reviving the series, a new season would require coordinating the busy schedules and enthusiasm of the leading actors, particularly Cumberbatch and Freeman. Both have since risen to international fame, with significant roles in blockbuster franchises like the MCU, alongside other high-profile projects that fill their calendars, such as Cumberbatch’s upcoming film Wife & Dog and Freeman’s detective film Flavia.
The broader popularity of British murder mysteries has also contributed to the continued relevance of Sherlock. The success of adaptations like Guy Ritchie’s films and Netflix’s Enola Holmes franchise highlights the lasting appeal of Conan Doyle’s narratives. A potential Sherlock season 5 could utilize the show’s storied legacy to present audiences with something both innovative and reminiscent, akin to Jeremy Brett’s renowned portrayal of Sherlock in the 1984 series.
Our Perspective on the Future of Sherlock Season 5
The Potential for a Modern Sherlock
Moffat’s enthusiasm for returning to Sherlock season 5 reflects the series’ enduring significance and its capacity for new narratives. Revisiting an older iteration of Sherlock and Watson could provide rich character development while reigniting the dynamic chemistry between these two iconic figures. Although casting logistics present hurdles, the passion from the creative team and the audience’s steadfast interest in Sherlock imply that the prospects for a revival remain promising.
Source: SFX
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