Steven Moffat has revealed that the writers’ plan for next year’s Sherlock special “practically reduced our cast to tears”.

Sherlock will return for a one-off Christmas special in 2015, followed by a series of three new episodes in 2016.

Speaking backstage at last night’s Emmy Awards, Moffat teased: “We have a plan to top [Series 3] — and actually I do think our plan is devastating.”

He added: “We practically reduced our cast to tears by telling them the plan. Honestly, Mark [Gatiss] and myself are so excited with what we’ve got coming up, probably more excited than we’ve ever been about Sherlock.”

Sherlock won seven awards at last night’s Emmys in Hollywood.

Moffat commented: “We were just starting to think that that phase of our lives was dying down because as shows get older they don’t win as often — just like people. We’re delighted that we’ve made it here and hopefully this gets more people watching. That’d be great.”

On the subject of when Series 4 will air, he said: “When they go out is up to the BBC. And I am their loyal servant. I simply do what they ask me.”

> Here’s everything we know about the Christmas special and Series 4 so far.

What do you want to see in next year’s Christmas special? Let us know below…