‘Sherlock’ season 4 spoilers: Steven Moffat confirms Victorian London setting

While the majority of “Sherlock” takes place in the present day United Kingdom, it appears for their upcoming special (which could air at Christmas, and be a precursor for season 4), the series is going to take a page out of Steven Moffat’s other show in “Doctor Who” and go back in time. Specifically, back to the days of Victorian London. It’s not actually going to be time-travel, though; the episode will begin in that period, and it will just stay there.

So what is the reason for this? As Moffat told Entertainment Weekly prior to a panel at SXSW this week, much of it was just due to personal desire, and what he and fellow show creator Mark Gatiss wanted to do. There is no intention to connect this story to either the past or the future narratives of the series:

“The special is it’s own thing, … We wouldn’t have done the story we’re doing, and the way we’re doing it, if we didn’t have this special. It’s not part of the run of three episodes. So we had this to do it – as we could hardly conceal – it’s Victorian. [Co-creator Mark Gatiss] and me, we wanted to do this, but it had to be a special, it had to be separate entity on its own. It’s kind of in its own little bubble.”

We are somewhat of two minds about this. For example, we want to have a chance to see what Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman do when they fully immerse themselves in this world. However, at the same time season 3 ended with such an enormous cliffhanger that it is understandable that you would want to know some of what happens from here with Holmes and Moriarty.

What do you think about the idea of going back to the past for this special? Let us know right away with a comment, and head over here to score some other updates! Also, you can sign up right now in the event you want some further TV news on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: BBC One.)