Nov 01, 2016 08:44 AM EDT By Addie Tee, UniversityHerald Reporter

It's been three years since viewers last saw Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in BBC's "Sherlock" special, titled "The Abominable Bride." With fans anxiously waiting to reunite with the duo at Baker Street, BBC has announced the official "Sherlock Holmes" Season 4 release date.

It will be a very happy New Year's Day for fans of "Sherlock" as BBC schedules the Season 4 premiere on Jan. 1, 2017. This is close to Martin Freeman's previous statement, in which he said the show might premiere sometime in December.

"Sherlock" Season 4 is going to be quite an emotional rollercoaster for fans as rumors of the show coming to an end abound. TVLine reported that lead star Benedict Cumberbatch told GQ Magazine that the fourth season "feels like the end of an era, to be honest." He added that the upcoming season "goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately."

Another reason that would back up claims that "Sherlock" Season 4 will be the show's last is the fact that both Cumberbatch and Freeman are going to be busy in filming big movie titles. For one, Cumberbatch just made his debut as "Doctor Strange," which makes him an in-demand figure in terms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joining the MCU as well is Freeman, who first appeared as Everett Ross in "Captain America: Civil War."

Despite these uncertainties, what's sure is that "Sherlock" Season 4 is darker than its predecessors. "Ghosts of the past are rising in the lives of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson bringing adventure, romance and terror in their wake," showrunners Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss told Metro about what to expect from the show. "This is the story we've been telling from the beginning. [It's] a story [that's] about to reach its climax."

The show will introduce a new villain named Culverton Smith, played by Toby Jones. In the books, Smith uses his knowledge of deadly tropical illnesses in attempt to kill Sherlock.

"Sherlock" Season 4, however, is not without some heartwarming drama and life lessons. John and Mary Watson are expecting a baby, and the arrival of their bundle of joy and how Uncle Sherlock reacts to it is something fans are waiting to see.

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