The Empty Hearse. That’s the brash title Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat have given episode one of Sherlock‘s third series. There’s an obvious reference there to the not-really-dead trick Holmes pulled in the series two finale, and Conan Doyle readers will recognise a characteristic pun on his mail-Reichenbach story, The Adventure of the Empty House.

Spooks director Jeremy Lovering has been confirmed as replacing Paul McGuigan for the series and helming two of the forthcoming three episodes (including this one), with Colm McCarthy going behind the camera for the remaining instalment. Filming begins today, for an expected winter 2013 air date.

What’s that you say? Dancing excitedly in our chairs? Us? Never.

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