Strange Days

After their mind-twisting Victorian Adventure, sherlock holmes And John watson finally return for A full series that promises pure evil, parenthood And a canine companion. But is moriarty really Alive?Crime Scene Joins the stars on-set, in search of clues to this much-Anticipated fourth season…

- James Rampton

Sherlockmania – second only in hysteria and volume to Beatlemania – is gripping the streets of north London. Crime Scene is corralled behind a crowd barrier in the vicinity of Euston Station. Night has fallen and we’re standing alongside thousands of fans, who have journeyed from as far afield as China and Japan. Since before dawn they’ve been lining up along North Gower Street which, as all card-carrying Sherlockians doubtless already know, doubles for Baker Street in BBC One’s global hit drama.

We’re getting completely drenched by three massive rain machines, which are pouring down outside number 221B, in preparation for a brief scene outside the house. However, no one’s ardour appears dampened. There’s certainly no lack of enthusiasm when Benedict Cumberbatch, clad in Sherlock’s trademark Bel staff ‘Milford’ coat, magically appears out of a side street, to commence filming in front of the consulting detective’s famous front door. The cheer from the assembled masses can no doubt be heard south of the River Thames. The game is on…

Chatting to Crime Scene in a nearby hotel before filming starts, the cast and crew are equally delighted that the show’s returning with a full series after a three-year gap, “The Abominable Bride” being a one-off special. That gap was at least partially enforced by the fact that Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, as Dr John Watson, have become megastars on the back of Sherlock.

Cumberbatch confesses that he’s having the time of his life on this fourth season.