Someone's glad to be back! Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are in very high spirits as they attend a screening for Sherlock series four
Even though fans of BBC drama series Sherlock will have to wait until New Year's Day to watch the first episode of the new series, stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were given a special pre-Christmas screening on Monday evening.
The pair - who play Sherlock and Doctor John Watson respectively - attended a photocall at the Ham Yard Hotel in London and looked to be full of seasonal cheer as they shared a joke on their way into the screening.
Benedict, who is soon to become a father for the second time, looked very dapper in a smart navy suit.
Scroll down for video
Someone's glad to be back! Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are in very high spirits as they attend a screening for Sherlock series four
His co-star opted for a casual ensemble, including a denim jacket, cardigan and dark trousers.
Also present was Amanda Abbington, who cut a rather gothic figure wearing a long floral dress.
At one point, Martin descended into giggles during the photocall with Benedict as he pulled a series of hilarious poses for the camera.
But if a tweet from co-star Amanda from earlier in the month is anything to go by, they wouldn't be laughing for long.
Sneak peek: Even though fans of BBC drama series Sherlock will have to wait until New Year's Day to watch the first episode of the new series, stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were given a special pre-Christmas screening on Monday evening
Star of the show: Benedict, who is soon to become a father for the second time, looked very dapper in a smart navy suit
Nasty! The new season is said to be dark, nasty and meaty
Having already viewed the premiere episode of season four a couple of weeks ago, Amanda tweeted: 'Just seen ep 1. Oh dear God… #Sherlock.'
This tweet comes as was revealed that the newest installment in the crime series is to be 'the darkest and meatiest' season yet.
Writer Mark Gatiss recently told The Telegraph that the show will feature 'the most proper dramatic incident we could possibly throw at [the characters].'
Sidekick: Martin opted for a casual ensemble, including a denim jacket, cardigan and dark trousers
Getting darker: Also present was Amanda Abbington, who cut a rather gothic figure wearing a long floral dress
Members of the cast have described the fourth series as 'very sad' and 'nasty' but also 'magic' and 'the best yet'.
Eager fans of the show will be relieved to see it's back having had to wait a year to the day since the last new episode aired.
As is the tradition with the series, the last episode aired on New Year's Day this year, but was only a one-off special.
Before that, fans hadn't seen new installments since 2014 when the third full season was on.
In character: The new season premieres on BBC One on New Year's Day
The wait is over: Eager fans of the show will be relieved to see it's back having had to wait a year to the day since the last new episode aired
Cast and crew: (L-R) Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington and Mark Gatiss attended the screening of the Sherlock season four
That began on January 1 2014 and was over by January 12, as it was only a three episode run.
The fourth season begins with episode one, which has been titled The Six Thatchers.
It will open with John and Mary Watson, played by real-life couple Martin and Amanda, who will welcome a new baby, Rosamund, into the family.
Fans have speculated that Mary will be killed off in the new series, following the same route as the Arther Conan Doyle books on which it is based.
On-set images from earlier in the year saw Benedict looking a little more ragged than usual, hinting that the character of Sherlock is to be put through the mill.
Whatever happens, season five has already been commissioned, and will continue the story over the next couple of years.
Tense! On-set images from earlier in the year saw Benedict looking a little more ragged than usual, hinting that the character of Sherlock is to be put through the mill
Turning up the Heat: Boyd Hilton of Heat magazine joined the boys for the photo call
Most watched News videos
- Girl shouts at her poor Grandpa over her iPhone appointment
- Angela Rye shares video of her invasive ordeal with TSA agent
- BMW driver tries to ram car off the road after slip lane mishap
- Group of killer whales prowl seas and attack shark
- Prisoner batters officer who finds him recording show on laptop
- Koala covered in burrs gets his fur groomed in adorable video
- Kung Fu truck driver gets revenge on man who stole his phone
- Notre Dame player surprised by brother's military homecoming
- Male guests in a Chinese wedding flock to harass a bridesmaid
- CCTV shows Rebels bikie gunman moments before shooting
- Adorable baby pug takes his first bath and enjoys it SO MUCH
- Baby 'sings' Christmas carol - with a little help from daddy
- Where is the Berlin Christmas market killer? German police...
- Donald Trump wins Electoral College - as attempts to cause...
- Giant RATS eat a three-month old baby girl alive after her...
- Prowling and preparing to kill: Chilling moment off-duty...
- CNN commentator shares video of invasive TSA pat-down which...
- Dramatic moment pop icon Richard Marx helped subdue a...
- EXCLUSIVE: Kanye West paid $250,000 to a family member who...
- Outrage as Lena Dunham says she 'wishes' she had an abortion
- PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Polish lorry driver who fought for his...
- Return to mother Russia: Murdered ambassador's widow and...
- Horror as Russian ambassador to Turkey is shot dead in art...
- American woman and her Canadian husband captured by the...