Sherlock’s season three finale aired in the US last night, but it seems fans may not have too long to wait until season four. UK newspaper The Sun has reported that Sherlock could have its season 4 premiere this Christmas. A source told the newspaper, “the BBC is desperate for a Sherlock Christmas Day special this year. It wants its biggest guns ready.”

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman could return to our screens sooner than expected

Fans will remember the agonising two year gap between the shows 2nd and 3rd season, but this time BBC bosses want to capitalise more quickly on the shows popularity. The third series was the UK’s most watched drama since 2001, with over 11 million viewers tuning in to the season finale. The success of the series has seen the career of stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman take off. However if Sherlock is to return at Christmas filming would most likely have to begin this March, leaving little time for the busy actors to clear their schedules. One good sign is that creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss did meet recently to discuss plans for future series.

Last night viewers in the US learned the truth about Mary and saw the possible return of Moriarty who was thought to have died last season. The British show has been a huge in the US becoming one of the UK’s most valuable television exports. The series has also earned much praise from critics, The Guardian described the season finale as "ceaseless flow of wit, invention and intelligence."

The cast of Sherlock could return to our screens at Christmas

Meanwhile Benedict Cumberbatch has recently found himself facing off against a new enemy, a number-mad vampire. But luckily for the actor it was television’s tamest fanged fiend; Sesame Streets The Count. PBS tweeted the news on Friday sharing a picture of the Sherlock star alongside The Count, with the caption, “Surprise! Benedict Cumberbatch sheds the serious Sherlock to share some laughs w/ these 2 - stay tuned! #Counterbatch.”