I'm excited and intrigued by the character I shall be playing in Sherlock...

Toby will star in the second episode of the brand new three-part series, which starts filming today. Episode two will be directed by Nick Hurran, who was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries for 'His Last Vow' series three Sherlock episode.

Toby Jones says: “I'm excited and intrigued by the character I shall be playing in Sherlock..."

Co-creator, writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, says: "Delighted to have Toby Jones on board, bringing to life one of Doyle’s finest villains."

Co-creator, writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss adds: "We're thrilled to welcome one of our finest actors to the Sherlock family. I know Toby will embrace the part with true relish!"

Sue Vertue, Executive Producer for Hartswood Films, says: "Great to have Nick Hurran back after his fabulous work in series three, and I've been wanting to work with Toby for ages, so this is a real treat."

Promising laughter, tears, shocks, surprises and extraordinary cases, it was announced last month that series four will begin - with the nation’s favourite detective, the mercurial Sherlock Holmes, back once more on British soil - as Doctor Watson and his wife, Mary, prepare for their biggest ever challenge - becoming parents for the first time.

Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, which aired on New Year’s Day this year, was the most watched programme over the festive season with 11.6 million viewers and the highest-ever audience share for a Sherlock episode. The Victorian special was also released in thousands of cinemas around the world to complement the TV broadcast.

Sherlock is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock is produced by Sue Vertue, and the executive producers are Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for Hartswood Films, Bethan Jones for BBC Cymru Wales and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece. It is distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.

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