I'm not really worried right now.  As has been stated before, Mark and Steven plotted out S4 and S5 at the same time so I'm assuming S5 is needed to complete what ever arc they've come up with.

Mark and Steven were still trotting out that old line at Sherlocked about how they could feasibly make this until Sherlock and John were old and grey and retired together. It's only the recent statement by Benedict that seems to have thrown things awry. I think the BBC would certainly recommission S5, 6, 7 and more as long as it keeps getting the many millions of viewers that it does. As far as I can see it's dependent upon the actors, and whilst it's clear that they both enjoy making Sherlock, they are both extremely busy and might not be able to make the time for it.

We might end up seeing Sherlock every 4 or 5 years instead of every 3.

I wonder if they'd do a spin-off series, like they've done with Doctor Who?  (Torchwood, Sarah Jane Adventures, Class).   That might allow them to use the more "available" actors, perhaps with others appearing as cameos.  I know it won't be popular but the first thing that springs to mind is a series as Mary as a kind of James Bond character.   But there are lots of possibilities.  I'd watch a series about Mycroft.  Or his parents!  Or child/teen Sherlock, or elderly Sherlock with different actors.   They could even do a series (set in the past, presumably) from Moriarty's point of view. 

Er, we kind of do that now.
I think the implication is we may be waiting more like 5 years.

I don't mind waiting for quality, the beautiful this fandom is its ability to fill out the wait... though hiatus can get a bit... strange

Liberty wrote:

I wonder if they'd do a spin-off series, like they've done with Doctor Who?  (Torchwood, Sarah Jane Adventures, Class).   That might allow them to use the more "available" actors, perhaps with others appearing as cameos.

...Sherlock getting rid of Watsons and their baby, solving crimes passionately with Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson and a new lover Victor Trevor... hmmm, I would watch that....
 

I never thought there was a desire to end it...
But I do feel Benedict is looking at both his and Martin's schedules years ahead and cannot see an overlapping window.
But he also hinted at something terminal in S4.

I suspect that John's marriage is ending and that he's going to become a fatherless widower.  His partnership with Sherlock, on the other hand, will not end.

 

Last edited by kgreen20 (October 11, 2016 1:52 am)

Yes, I think so.  Mary leaving/dying is something expected, and she's only been in one series (and TAB) before now.    I suppose if Benedict really loved working with Amanda, it could feel like the end of an era, even if it's quite a short era?   But the comment about it going to a place where it would be hard to follow on from immediately - I'm not quite seeing how that fits with Amanda leaving.   I think it's something else.   

Well, loosing Mary (and possibly the baby) could leave John in a place where it would be very hard to just continue having fun with Sherlock at crime scenes, But for some reason I also do not think that this is what Ben talks about.