Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have signed up for a fourth series of Sherlock, again consisting of three episodes.

Speaking at the South Bank Show Awards this afternoon, Radio Times reports that Cumberbatch announced: “We’ve agreed to two more series but I could get into trouble for saying that. All I know at the moment is I’m doing these three [Series 3] and another three [Series 4].”

The Star Trek Into Darkness star added that he was also keen to film more epiodes beyond Series 4: “It just depends on Martin and I’s availability, how long we can keep it going. It depends on Steven [Moffat]’s ability. I’d love to keep it going.”

Series 3 begins filming next week.

> Find out all the details on Series 3 so far in our summary.

What are your hopes for Series 3? Let us know below…

> Buy the Series 1-2 boxset on Amazon.

> Buy the BBC’s official book, Sherlock: The Casebook, on Amazon.

Watch a clip from The Hounds of Baskerville…