Good news, Sherlock fans: that special the BBC promised us now has a name and a release date. Sherlock: The Abominable Bride will air at 9PM ET on January 1st, 2016, the BBC revealed today on Twitter. The special extended episode, taking place in Victorian London, will air simultaneously in the US and UK — a first for the series. Previously, American fans had to choose between patiently waiting or turning to pirate sites as their counterparts across the pond enjoyed the show first.
Oh, and lest we forget, there's also a new full trailer for the special.
The special was first revealed last year, but few details were given other than a teaser. The 90-minute special will also be screened in theaters. As for content, producers have been very tight-lipped, but series co-creator Steven Moffat has previously said that it will be largely a stand-alone piece. "The special is its own thing ... We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special. It’s not part of the run of three episodes," Moffat said.
Series 4 of #Sherlock will start shooting next spring. Steven Moffat and @Markgatiss are busy writing away right now.
— BBC One (@BBCOne) October 24, 2015
After the special, we'll get the full Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman treatment with season four of Sherlock. There's no date for those three episodes yet, but the BBC says that shooting will begin this upcoming spring.