• Benedict Cumberbatch Visits 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on November 3, 2016 in New York City.

Benedict Cumberbatch Visits 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on November 3, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/ Theo Wargo)

It took two long years before fans of the favorite British sleuth "Sherlock" will be able to see the follow up for Season 3. The long wait is over as "Sherlock" Season 4 episode 1 will be released on Jan. 1, 2017.

The "Sherlock" Season 4 premiere episode is titled "The Six Thatchers" while episode 2 is called "The Lying Detective." The first two episodes are based on the 56 short stories about Sherlock Holmes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons" and "The Adventure of the Dying Detective" respectively.

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 "Sherlock" Season 4 production began in April 2016 and finished in August 2016. The three episodes of the Benedict Cumberbatch-led TV series are patterned to mini-movies.

"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons" follows the investigation of Sherlock into the murders that have something to do with six busts representing the French military leader. Thatcher may signify the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and episode 2 seems to tackle the murder related to the destruction of the six Maggie tributes.

In "The Adventure of the Dying Detective," Sherlock pretends to have a fatal condition in order to let Culveron Smith, "Sherlock's" most villain yet, confessed to the killing of his nephew. Very little is known about "Sherlock" Season 4, but based on the trailer, the new season will be the most darkest of the series,  The Sun reported.

There are speculations that "Sherlock" Season 4 episode 3 will be the last time that fans will be able to see Cumberbatch playing the eccentric detective. In the recent weeks, there are also rumors, saying that the "The Hobbit" star will no longer play "Sherlock" in Season 5.

Before "Sherlock" Season 4 was confirmed, Cumberbatch made headlines when his interview with GQ was misinterpreted by many. Everyone thought that the actor implied that the BBC series is already coming to an end.

Meanwhile, to dismiss the speculations that Season 5 will see a different actor playing "Sherlock," METRO reported that Cumberbatch will continue to play the famous detective role beyond Season 5. However, the next season may not be shown on its usual air date because the show is taking a hiatus after Season 4 episode 3.

The production is taking a rest to give time for Cumberbatch to catch up with his busy filming schedules. Just recently, he was launched in his own Marvel movie "Doctor Strange." There is a possibility that Season 5 will be slated for a 2019 release.

Check out "Sherlock" Season 4 trailer: