The BBC has confirmed that Sherlock will return for a one-off special, followed by a series of three new episodes.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, teased: “Steven and Mark are ready to unleash the most shocking and surprising series of Sherlock yet. The only thing to expect is the unexpected…”

Producer Sue Vertue added: “It’s taken a little while to get the dates sorted as none of the boys are exactly sitting back twiddling their thumbs but there was unanimous goodwill to make this work, so we’re thrilled that 221b is going to be inhabited again.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, added: “It’s a very good day in the life of a BBC One Controller when you can announce Sherlock will return for a special plus a new three-part series. Massive thanks to Sue Vertue and Hartswood Films for pulling this off, it’s no mean feat pinning down some of this country’s most brilliant and in-demand actors and writers.”

Shooting on the special will begin in January 2015, with Series 4 shooting later next year.

Co-creator Mark Gatiss has teased that the new episodes “will take Sherlock and John Watson into deeper and darker water than ever before.”

Martin Freeman confirmed recently that his real-life partner Amanda Abbington will remain part of the Sherlock cast as Watson’s wife Mary for “for the foreseeable future”.

> Here’s everything we know about Series 4 so far.

What do you want to see in the special and Series 4? Let us know below…