'Sherlock' season 4 will be life-changing for characters; Sherlock Holmes' death looming?

"Sherlock" left off at a cliffhanger in its third season and its special January episode did not do much to iron out mysteries. Season 4 is expected to resolve these mysteries as filming is already in progress at 221B Baker Street. Eager fans of the famous British detective have just become more thrilled as information about the show gushes forth on the web.

For one, "Sherlock" co-creator Mark Gatiss, who also portrays the role of Mycroft Holmes, has said that the regulars of the series will face major, life-changing situations. This statement by Gatiss leads to speculations that it will be in season 4 when one of the characters, who can possibly be Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch), will meet his demise. Fans theorize that the detective will have a brush up with death.

It can be that Sherlock will be killed by Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott). If Moriarty goes after John (Martin Freeman) and Mary (Amanda Abbington) Watson, Sherlock will stand between them to protect the couple which will lead to a fight, perhaps the last encounter, between him and Moriarty.

Another supposition is that the national government will go after Sherlock as Moriarty frames him to be involved in a sensitive national controversy. There is also the possibility of the detective getting linked to a classified government operation after which he has to be taken out to secure the secrecy of the mission. There is also the strange likelihood of Sherlock's committing suicide. After all, no one can totally get a grip on how his complex and mercurial mind works.

Apart from the return of Cumberbatch and Freeman, fans can also look forward to seeing Una Stubbs reprise her role as Mrs. Hudson, Louise Brealey as Molly Hooper, and Jonathan Aris as Anderson. Rupert Graves will also return as Detective Inspector Lestrade. Golden Globe-nominated actor Toby Jones, as reported by BBC, will also be joining the roster of villains in the show particularly in the second episode.

The news of official renewal of "Sherlock" first came out in 2014. No exact premiere date has been confirmed so far, although it is speculated that season 4 will kick off on Jan. 1, 2017.