'Sherlock' To Continue Until Benedict Cumberbatch Gets 'Too Famous' For It

Credit: BBC

Sherlock has one of the most passionate fanbases of any show on TV, but is that fanbase passionate enough to start wishing that its lead star's film career tanks? Apparently, the only real danger to the show's existence is the possibility that its star might become too famous for it.

At the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, Benedict Cumberbatch discussed a variety of topics, including just how long the series, currently in its third season, will last. Although no definitive answer was offered, executive producer and showrunner Steven Moffat suggested that the show would continue for as long as Cumberbatch remained available.

“Ben Stephenson, who is the head of drama at the BBC, has commissioned it for 50 years, he said, just to settle this question,” Moffat cracked. “Yes, it will continue until Benedict gets too famous.”

For his part, Cumberbatch stated he's in no danger of burning out from the role, thanks in large part to the show's lean, three-episode seasons. As the 37-year-old actor explains, youth is also on his side, as he's among the youngest to ever play the iconic sleuth for such an extended period of time. “I’m younger than any of them were or are.”

Of course, another big help in preventing burnout is just how easily Cumberbatch is able to shed the character once filming ends, as he normally finds it less difficult to let Sherlock Holmes go once a season has wrapped.

Well, except this time.

“I felt really sentimental about letting him go this time, which I normally don’t because he’s very hard. I love him to bits, I love the results, sometimes, but it’s hard work. And this time I felt really sentimental about it.”

With any luck, that sentimentality and unwillingness to let go of Sherlock Holmes will keep Cumberbatch in the role for years to come.

Via: TheWrap