'Sherlock' season four to premiere in 2017

LOS ANGELES: PBS president Paula Kerger has revealed Benedict Cumberbatch-starrer "Sherlock" season four will arrive next year.

"We do have the next 'Sherlock' announced, that is coming up about a year from now," Kerger said.

It was previously announced that the three-episode season 4 would begin production in April.

Addressing the long gap between each season, Kerger said, "As you know, Benedict has gotten to be somewhat popular since we began our work with him and he very much wants to continue with 'Sherlock'. As you know, they are produced almost like films, and we're hoping the next one will be about a year from now."

"Sherlock" recently returned with a special titled "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" that is set in a Victorian period.

The holiday special was also released in more than 500 theaters in the US and UK on January 5 and 6.