Sherlock series 3: what do we know so far – and what can we deduce? A year after The Reichenbach Fall, Paul Jones assesses what the clues might tell us about the what, when and who of the upcoming new episodes...(RADIO TIMES)

Filming and air date

Sherlock made superstars of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the result being that their other movie and TV commitments – most notably Cumberbatch's part as the villain in Star Trek sequel Into Darkness and Freeman's starring role in The Hobbit trilogy – have pushed back filming on series three.

Originally planned to begin this month, shooting has since been postponed until March. The good news? Co-creator Steven Moffat and his producer wife Sue Vertue say that will not impact the intended transmission date of autumn 2013.


The episodes

In August, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss revealed three key words, one relating to each episode of the new series. They've also dropped other clues, and even a few facts. Here's what we know so far, plus a great deal of educated speculation...

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Episode 1 – The Empty House/”Rat”

This is the episode we know the most about. Written by Mark Gatiss, it will answer the question every Sherlock fan is asking – “How did he survive the fall?” The solution was filmed at the same time as the setup and the detective’s death-defying plunge, and Martin Freeman tells us "All the clues were on screen. It's not going to be a cheat – everything that we saw on that final episode offers hints as to how he did it."

But how will Sherlock reveal himself to his friend, and how will John react? We already know from Gatiss (and common sense) that the episode will be based in part on The Adventure of the Empty House, the story in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle resurrected Holmes. In the original, the detective bumps into Dr Watson while disguised as a stooped, elderly book seller and only reveals himself once he’s finagled his way safely inside 221B Baker Street. We’ve already seen Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock do a bit of character acting (in The Blind Banker and A Scandal in Belgravia) so a disguise-and-reveal is a possibility. We also know Sherlock enjoys a bit of drama, which he can then puncture by acting aloof. And it’s such an iconic moment it would be a shame if Gatiss didn’t recreate it in some way.

What might be John’s reaction if he does?

READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-16/sherlock-series-3-what-do-we-know-so-far--and-what-can-we-deduce