season 5 is still a possibility, but after all these years, it might as well wait a little longer. Fans have eagerly awaited the next installment in the BBC series season 4 aired in 2017, but there has been minimal word on this front. After all these years, returning to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson's characters would be a little more complicated, making the outlook on season 5 look even more bleak. However, considering the shortcomings of seasons 3 and 4, this extended break might not be a bad thing.
The hit series put a modern twist on , with season 1 of first airing in 2010. Over the next seven years, four total seasons were released, each of which took the twists of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson's mystery solving to the next level.
Unfortuantely, however, never came to an official close, so viewers have been left in limbo for several years. Of course, the series wasn't canceled either, so there's still hope.
aired in 2017, which means it's been a very long wait for season 5. Many have given up hope, but creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have both stated that the door hasn't been officially closed. The problem with getting the ball rolling has been the schedules of stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who played Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, respectively.
The pair weren't household names when they first took on their roles in , but their series thrust both men into the spotlight. Since then, Cumberbatch and Freeman have both grown rather busy.
With projects in major franchises like the MCU and , as well as a spattering of other movies and TV series—all of which likely pay more than what Cumberbatch and Freeman were making on —there hasn't been the time to make season 5 a reality. Gatiss has said (via ) that he doesn't think is what Cumberbatch and Freeman "" but that he would "" if they did. This is just the smallest shimmer of hope and a sign that
needs to hold out for a 2027 release to lure the stars (and audiences) back in.
Since season 4 aired in 2017, it would be a little strange to have a casual return to the characters after all this time. However, if season 5 were released in 2027—exactly a decade later—it would be more like a single reunion event than a typical TV installment. After ten years, audiences will expect some time to have passed in-universe as well, which means a more interesting return to the characters.
Additionally, if were released a decade after season 4, no one would expect a season 6. Sherlock and John's stories would likely be wrapped up once and for all, which would mean a definitive end to the series. This would make Cumberbatch and Freeman's return more feasible since they would know that this final installment would be their last time returning to play the characters. It would be a much shorter commitment.
Another benefit of leaving a decade-long gap between season 4 and 5 is the opportunity for a fresh start after the series' shortcomings. Sherlock's story had quite a fall from grace after the finale of season 2, since season 3 returned with an episode that never delivered on the promise to explain . Then, things only got worse as the series segued into unpopular story arcs, such as the reveal that Mary Watson was secretly a freelance assassin. Finally, season 4 jumped into the story of Sherlock and Mycroft's sister, Eurus Holmes, which also fell a little flat.
Still, the frequent calls for a season 5 prove that fans are still hungry for more
despite the downward trend after season 2. After so many years of radio silence regarding Sherlock's character, 2027 could be the perfect time to return to this version of 221B Baker Street for the last time with a fresh slate. It would mean an opportunity for the BBC series to end things on a high note. Of course, season 5 could feasibly be announced at any time, and fans would be happy, but at this point, it might as well wait.
In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.
K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010's modern setting, Sherlock's eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.
