Sherlock and Moriarty to return as the truth behind #221back is revealed

The Telegraph July 4, 2014

Sherlock and Moriarty are to return in 2015, the BBC have announced after a series of tantalising social media posts

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in Sherlock

At exactly 2.21pm today, the BBC revealed that Sherlock would return for a special episode, followed by three new episodes. Shooting of the special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later in the year.

This is, perhaps, something of an anticlimax for Sherlock fans, afterMartin Freeman recently told the Telegraph that he expected Sherlock to return for a Christmas special in 2015. However, it is the first official confirmation of that news and of the forthcoming series.

“A special, plus a new series of three episodes - it's a record-breaking run! Of course, it's far too early to say what's coming, but we're reasonably confident that the very next thing to happen to Sherlock and John is the very last thing you'd expect,” said showrunner Steven Moffat in the follow-up press release.

Last night the BBC posted a tweet saying that, at 2.21pm, it would reveal something about its hit detective series Sherlock and fans were sent into an excited spin as a result, with all eyes on the BBC's social media at the allotted time.

Two tweets were posted an hour apart – the first contained a gif of the taxi screen featured in the last episode and the face of Sherlock’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) arch-nemesis Moriarty (Andrew Scott) with the words "Did you miss me? #221back. #Sherlock". As fans will know, 221B is the number of Sherlock Holmes's flat on Baker Street.

The second alluded to a new arrival and declared that details would come at 2.21pm. BBC One even changed its Twitter handle to “Sherlock - #221back” and a similar message was posted to the channel's Facebook page.

So now we know. Sherlock will be back in 2015 - just as we expected it to be.