'Sherlock Season 4' Release Date, News & Update: Benedict Cumberbatch Will Not Be Joined By Third Holmes Brother? Moriarty Back In Devastating S4?

"Sherlock Season 4" will not bring in the much-buzzed third Holmes brother (Tom Hiddleston to many) to join Benedict Cumberbatch and series co-writer Mark Gatiss (Myrcoft). While Holmes reunion is sparse, "Sherlock Season 4" will have a feast on villains, with Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott) and Culverton Smith rocking the boat for Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman (John Watson).

Digital Spy cites discussion by "Sherlock" series writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss on which Holmes brother is the nicer. Mark Gatiss says Sherlock Holmes is more humane but Mycroft creates an internal war between caring and coldness that is core to Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC series.

Interestingly, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss only speak about Sherlock and Mycroft with no allusion to a sister or a third Holmes brother. A breakdown of "Sherlock Season 4" episodes on Cult Box does not show any indication of a third Holmes brother pitted against Benedict Cumberbatch either.

However, Jim Moriarty resurfacing would surely make up for the absence of a third Holmes brother in "Sherlock Season 4." Indicating more Jim Moriarty cat-and-mouse games, Andrew Scott reveals that the success of his character is in weaving elusively through the "Sherlock" series.

Wales Online reports that the Moriarty flag was flying full mast on St Catherine's Island while Benedict Cumberbatch and John Watson filmed for "Sherlock Season 4." This corroborates dire warning by Steven Moffat on "Sherlock Season 4" as cited by Cult Box.

"We have a plan to top [Season 3] - and actually I do think our plan is devastating," Steven Moffat said. Promisingly, Steven Moffat revealed the "Sherlock Season 4" cast were emotionally affected by the scenes.

Absence of a third Holmes brother notwithstanding, Martin Freeman shares that "Sherlock Season 4" has an exciting overall arch. The BBC "Sherlock Season 4" premiere will bring in the "ghost" of Jim Moriarty, James Holmes, Mary and John Watson, Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs) and star Benedict Cumberbatch on January 2017.