LONDON — Sherlock co-creator and writer Steven Moffat has revealed that the BBC detective series will cease production when Benedict Cumberbatch leaves the show.

In an interview with Variety, Moffat compared Sherlock to Doctor Who, saying that "most shows have a built-in mortality."

"Once Benedict Cumberbatch gives up Sherlock, what are we going to do? We are going to stop, that’s what we are going to do."

While Sherlock will see its end following the departure of the lead actor, Doctor Who "will carry on forever, because you can replace every part of it," Moffat said.

While the news isn't surprising, it still proves devastating.

But panic not: In early 2014, Benedict Cumberbatch told USA Today "I'll keep doing [the show] as long as [Sherlock] grows, as long as I feel he's developing and there's stuff we're all being challenged by and that's being loyal to the original stories as well."

Towards the end of the year, Cumberbatch was also quoted in Vogue saying “If we can keep the quality up, I can’t imagine that I will ever get tired of being Sherlock. I’d love to play him as an old man.”

So, friends, we are safe for now.

Sherlock returns in the new year for a special episode that sees the detective heading back to the Victorian era, and fans can expect Season 4 of the show in late 2016.