'Sherlock' Season 4 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Benedict Cumberbatch Confirms ‘Old’ Holmes In S5? Jim Moriarty Confirmed Dead By Mark Gatiss?

"Sherlock Season 4" will be a feast of the mind as puzzles begin with Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) warring against nemesis Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott), whom Mark Gatiss (Mycroft Holmes) confirmed to be dead. Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch confirmed that he will be returning as an old Sherlock Holmes after "Sherlock Season 4."

Carter Matt cites a BBC Radio 5 interview with Mark Gatiss via "In Short" where the series co-producer and co-writer confirmed that indeed Jim Moriarty is dead. Asked if fans of the BBC series will be able to see Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes' brother in "Sherlock Season 4," Mark Gatiss did not quite know how to answer.

Back to work, with @DavidGArnold #sherlock pic.twitter.com/4nwo7IEsuv

— Michael Price (@michael__price) October 5, 2016

  Presumably, Mark Gatiss did not want to give too much away about "Sherlock Season 4" Episode 3. The final revelation on the connection of Sherrinford to Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes is expected to happen in Episode 3.

Mark Gatiss says that for the first time, he and Steven wrote parts of S4 together side by side, rather than sending drafts back and forth — Sherlock (@Sherlock221B) September 25, 2016

Parent Herald cites propositions that "Sherlock Season 4" will reveal that Sherrinford is the mentor of Jim Moriarty. However, while Mark Gatiss very proudly and firmly confirmed that Jim Moriarty is dead as of Season 4.

Yet Andrew Scott is definitely in the cast of stars for "Sherlock Season 4" Episode 3 on IMDb. Could Jim Moriarty be dead because he will assume the identity of Sherrinford on "Sherlock Season 4" Episode 3 or is the supposed Holmes brother his mentor?

Interestingly, while co-producer and co-writer Steven Moffat is optimistic that "Sherlock Season 5" is happening, Mark Gatiss revealed he was unsure. One thing is certain: the BBC series will not continue after "Sherlock Season 4" without Benedict Cumberbatch according to Mark Gatiss.

The Metro reports that Benedict Cumberbatch confirms the stance of Steven Moffat on "Sherlock Season 5." However, "Sherlock Season 5" will seem to be aligning more closely to the demographics of the classic Sherlock Holmes.

In earlier adaptations of "Sherlock Holmes" from Arthur Conan Doyle's novels, Sherlock was often portrayed by more "mature," 50-and-up actors. When Benedict Cumberbatch came onboard the "Sherlock" series in 2010, the BBC star was only 33.

According to Benedict Cumberbatch, "Sherlock Season 5" will happen but not any time soon. Benedict Cumberbatch also essentially said future "Sherlock" seasons will be released with more gaps between releases.

Meanwhile "Sherlock Season 4" will air on BBC in the New Year of 2017. Would you be happy to watch Benedict Cumberbatch play a much older Sherlock Holmes in the next "Sherlock" seasons?