‘Sherlock’ Season 4 Air Date, News & Update: Benedict Cumberbatch BBC Series To See Holmes Lose Mind? Did Fatherhood Turn Watson’s Hair White?

"Sherlock Season 4" will lay out all the cards as writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (Mycroft) take Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and John Watson (Martin Freeman) to the climax of the overall arc of the BBC series. However, did fatherhood rather than villains James Moriarty (Andrew Scott) and Culverton Smith (Toby Jones) give John Watson the white hair he sported in the recent "Sherlock Season 4" poster.

Heat World points out that the BBC series special, "Abominable Bride" left doubts about the mental stability with which Holmes will go into "Sherlock Season 4." Having James Moriarty toy with Sherlock Holmes' sanity explains well why Benedict Cumberbatch told Collider that his arch nemesis continues to terrify his BBC series character.

The boys will be back soon! Here’s the first official picture of #Sherlock and John from Series 4. pic.twitter.com/MqGfuUWb96

— Sherlock (@Sherlock221B) August 31, 2016

  Benedict Cumberbatch explained that being pitted against James Moriarty scarred Sherlock Holmes. As "Sherlock Season 4" unfolds, fans of the BBC series will realize the depth of the fear of James Moriarty that lives on in Holmes.

Ever wondered who designs the sets and props for Sherlock? We spoke to @arwelwjones https://t.co/ePtIVmrWfv pic.twitter.com/yb47tmpiZj — BBC Academy (@BBCAcademy) March 10, 2016

A recent photo release for "Sherlock Season 4" indicates that Holmes will not be the only one going through heavy strain. Parent Herald cites Nerdist in proposing that the notably whitened hair John Watson wore may indicate more than a beauty shot with Sherlock Holmes.

Dark forces threatening to spill out in "Sherlock Season 4" may have caused John Watson to age prematurely. However, the change in hair color by John Watson may simply be because of fatherhood scheduled in "Sherlock Season 4" for Martin Freeman with Amanda Abbington (Mary Watson).

In an earlier article by The Daily Mail, Holmes, Mary and John Watson were spotted filming for "Sherlock Season 4" at the Borough Market in London. Quite noticeable were the baby John Watson was carrying and the large dog that Mary Watson had in tow while the foursome walked alongside Sherlock Holmes.

In the photos from this "Sherlock Season 4" sequence, John Watson already wore the salt and pepper look that caused a stir in the promotional release. Fans of the BBC series are understandably on high alert where John Watson is concerned as many suspect that the forewarned "Sherlock Season 4" tragedy has to do with Holmes' best friend and Mary Watson.

BBC is expected to air the "Sherlock Season 4" premiere in January 2017. What do you think is the biggest shocker that "Sherlock Season 4" will bring?