Martin Freeman has revealed that he is keen to star in a third series of Sherlock.

The actor took a break from playing Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit to shoot the second series of the BBC detective drama earlier this year.

Freeman told talkshow host Graham Norton: "The hope is that we will make a third series. There is certainly more to do and I would like to do it. It's a very nice way to spend your time."

He also admitted to being "really very pleased" with the reaction to the first series of Sherlock, which aired on BBC One in mid-2010.

"It's amazing and very flattering," he said. "We are aware of the pressure of having a standard to maintain, but we have such a ball doing it, that it didn't really feel like pressure, but a really joyous way to spend a few months."

Freeman's co-star Benedict Cumberbatch recently hinted that making a third series of Sherlock could prove difficult following the conclusion of the second series finale.

"You might see that it's quite hard for me to make it back, after the end of the last episode," he teased.

Cumberbatch has also dismissed criticism of raunchy scenes featured in the show's second series premiere.

Sherlock continues this Sunday at 8.30pm on BBC One. The second series will air in May 2012 on BBC America in the US.

The Graham Norton Show - featuring Freeman, Doctor Who star Karen Gillan, Hollywood actor Gerard Butler and musician Noel Gallagher - will air tonight at 10.35pm on BBC One.

> Sherlock: Ten teasers about 'The Hounds of Baskerville'

Watch a clip from the next episode of Sherlock below:

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