Season 4 of the British crime drama TV series “Sherlock” to be aired on BBC One around Christmas this year promises to be a life-changing series for the regular cast members of the very popular show.

Mark Gatiss, co-creator of “Sherlock” recently talked about the impending return of the villain Jim Moriarty, played by Andrew Scott. Moriarty is the self-proclaimed consulting criminal and arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, who shall reportedly return right on the first episode of Season 4.

It was already hinted during the Season 3 finale that Moriarty would return and it was further heightened recently when his familiar mug flashed on all the screens in London with a one-liner that asks ‘Miss me?’

Gatiss confirmed that the repercussions of Moriarty’s apparent return are far reaching and that it’s going to be a really big stuff, reports iDigital Times.

Preparing to become parents

Martin Freeman, who plays the role of Dr. Watson in the TV series, in a recent guesting on the Graham Norton Show, said that they are indeed back in filming for Season 4. He said that he expects the three episodes of “Sherlock” Season 4 to air around Christmas time this year.

He also revealed that his character and his wife Mary, played by Amanda Abbington, will be preparing for the biggest challenge in their lives yet as they are both about to become parents.

In a recent interview, actress Amanda Abbington revealed what kind of parents John Watson and Mary would be. She disclosed that the pair would probably be reckless because they are both quite psychopathic.

She said however that their kid has nothing to worry about for having an assassin and an army doctor for his or her parents. He or she would most likely be screwed up mentally just like his or her parents, but there is no way he or she can be bullied around on the playground.

Two years of wait

Fans and viewers of “Sherlock” have waited for Season 4 for two years, although the one-off episode shown early this year sort of quench their thirst and also guarantees that the upcoming season is not going to disappoint.

According to reports, production of “Sherlock” Season 4 is already done with for Block 1. And based on the spoilers, fans will be really desperate as the Season 4 finale will end with a major cliffhanger.

Co-showrunner Steven Moffatt recently teased that Season 4 of “Sherlock” would leave viewers wanting for more from Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dr. John Watson, reports the Parent Herald.

Reports also have it that a character from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Red-Headed League” will also be seen in “Sherlock” Season 4.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has also been spotted filming recently next to a bloodhound, indicating that the detective may get himself a new furry companion, reminiscent of his childhood dog named Redbeard.

Gatiss and Moffat also stated that whatever else they do or wherever they go, all roads lead back to Baker Street for “Sherlock” Season 4.

The two said that it always feels like a homecoming for the two of them. Just like in the previous seasons of “Sherlock,” the next season shall features ghosts of the past from the lives of Holmes and Watson will be bringing adventure, romance, and terror in their wake.

It is likely that Moriarty is one of those ghosts of the past that will cause problems with the consulting detective and his blogger best friend.

But Moffat claims that Moriarty is already dead. He said in a recent interview that Sherlock and Moriarty did not fake suicide at each other. They would feel stupid if they bumped into each other eventually.

Meanwhile, Gatiss also posted a teaser for “Sherlock” Season 4 featuring a new image taken in the set that showed the back view of Sherlock Holmes watching the street through the window of his 221B Baker Street apartment.

Although the teaser did not reveal much about the plot of the upcoming season of “Sherlock,” BBC One promised to offer a lot of new surprises and unexpected cases in Season 4.