Sherlock is back from the dead as series 3 begins filming... with Martin Freeman's girlfriend Amanda Abbington joining the cast



It's been over a year since Sherlock Holmes was seen apparently leaping to his death in the finale of Series 2.

However, fans are set to find out how the detective faked his demise as Benedict Cumberbatch began filming Series 3 of the BBC show this week.

And it appears his sidekick Martin Freeman's real-life partner Amanda Abbington, who was recently declared bankrupt, is a new addition to the cast.

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He's back... and look who's joined him? Benedict Cumberbatch and Amanda Abbington film Series 3 of Sherlock in Bristol on Monday night

Benedict, 36, and Amanda, 39, were spotted filming scenes by a bonfire for the Series 3 opening episode The Empty Hearse in Bristol on Monday night.

With Amanda's partner Martin, who plays Watson, nowhere in sight, the Mr Selfridge star and Benedict were seen arriving in Portland Square on motorbike before dashing over to the fire.

It looks like something of importance may have been burning in the bonfire given the expressions of Benedict and Amanda.



Back from the dead: The last episode of Sherlock saw the detective faking his own death Riding in style: Sherlock appears to arrive to the scene of the fire on a motorbike

VIDEO Sneak peak! See filming of Sherlock Holmes in Bristol

It has been rumoured Amanda will be playing Watson's love interest Mary Morstan, who the doctor goes on to marry.

The first episode of Series 3 is loosely based on The Adventure Of The Empty House, in which Arthur Conan Doyle revealed how Sherlock had faked his death in The Reichenbach Fall.

In August, show creator Steven Moffat hinted at the forthcoming series: 'These three words might be a title, it might be a clue. They are Rat. Wedding. Bow.'

What's wrong? Benedict and Amanda look worried as they stare at the fire On the go: Benedict and Amanda run into a crowd of people surrounding the fire

With broadcast of Series 3 scheduled for later this year, it's been quite a wait for the viewers of Sherlock.

The Series 2 finale, which was first broadcast on 15 January 2012, followed evil Jim Moriarty's (Andrew Scott) plot to discredit and kill Sherlock.

The detective was then seen faking his suicide watched by Watson.

Quiet on set: It was a freezing night for the actors and crew during the late night shoot

The episode ended with Sherlock watching Watson and Mrs Hudson at his grave from a distance.

Moffat felt that he and co-creator Gatiss had outdone Conan Doyle in their version of Holmes' fall and added that there was still 'a clue everybody's missed'.

This prompted over 2million people to watch the episode on BBC iPlayer in an attempt to find out how Sherlock pulled off the stunt.

The end is nigh... or not: Sherlock was seen leaping to his death in the Series 2 finale last year

Meanwhile, the new series sees producers fulfill many fans' hopes by casting Amanda as Mary.

The actress, who played Miss Mardle in ITV period drama Mr Selfridge, was declared bankrupt this year over a £120,000 tax bill.

Amanda, who has two children with her partner of 11 years Martin, was registered insolvent in London's High Court under her birth name Amanda Jane Smith.

