'Sleepy Hollow' season 4 release date, spoilers news: Potential of series could be explored with Tom Mison and Janina Gavankar's tandem?

"Sleepy Hollow" season 4 is set to return on FOX sometime in 2017 with what network executives claim to be a revamped storyline. However, season 4 almost didn't happen, especially after one of the lead stars of the series, Nicole Beharie, decided to leave the show.

Many fans would rather see the show end than accept the fact that fan-favorite character Abbie Mills has died towards the end of season 3. Hence, to say that FOX took a gamble in continuing the series with Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane and a new female lead in the person of Janina Gavankar as Diana Malhotra is an understatement.

To set the matters straight, Beharie's exit from the series is a professional decision. However, the manner in which she exited from the series, via self-sacrifice, was something fans will not accept. Still, after presenting a rebooted storyline, FOX executives decided to give the show a fourth season, which will see Ichabod relocating from New York, where he is much identified with Abbie, to Washington, D.C. with Diana and a brand new team.

Entertainment Focus points out that "Sleepy Hollow" season 4 could be the fresh start that the FOX series needs to explore the potential it always had. The more discerning fans feel that is probably what FOX saw, too, which is why the green light was given to the show.

What's certain about season 4's plot is that Diana and Ichabod will not be all chummy right from the get-go. Diana has been described as a tough, no-nonsense ex-military officer who doesn't believe in the supernatural, and as Headlines and Global News reports, her alliance with Ichabod will be rough and prone to misunderstandings.

Diana only shows her soft side to her daughter, although it's expected that she and Ichabod will eventually get along, especially since there are reports that a secret connection exists between the two. As to what this connection is, it's something that will be revealed to fans and viewers as the fourth season progresses.

"Sleepy Hollow" season 4 is expected to be out in 2017 on Fox. More updates will be provided when release date is confirmed.