Bad news, Wholockians – despite previously suggesting it might possibly happen, it looks like Steven Moffat isn’t ever going to deliver the fabled Sherlock/Doctor Who crossover that so many fans desire.


“It can’t happen,” the writer said at a Royal Television Society event earlier this week. “There are certain rules I cannot break.”

Oh, the humanity/Time Lordery! This cruel destruction of dreams seemingly contrasts with previous statements Moffat’s made on the subject, where he expressed some interest in the two characters meeting.

“Look I’m going to come clean on this: I would,” Moffat said at a screening for series 8 in August. “Go speak to Cumberbatch, Freeman, Gatiss and Vertue, OK? They’re all in the way. I’m not the killjoy, it’s that lot.”

So what changed his mind this week? Well, apparently Moffat’s main concern is that Sherlock isn’t real – at least, not to the Doctor.

The writer explained: “Sherlock Holmes exists as a fictional character in the Doctor’s universe – he’s even dressed up as him!”

Fans might be quick to point out that in this series alone the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) has crossed spoons with outlaw Robin Hood (Tom Riley) and is soon to join forces with Father Christmas (Nick Frost), but Moffat believes the concept is doomed from the off.

“I’ve always been moderately more in favour [of doing a crossover] than anyone else, but I think [Sherlock co-creator] Mark Gatiss is right when he says it would just never be as good as you think it’s going to be.”

He concluded: “You don’t need both of those guys in the same show.”


Surely he can’t be right – has he not SEEN this fan video?