Mark Gatiss officially shuts down rumours of a ‘Sherlock’ comeback: ‘We struck gold with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman’

After years of speculation and fan anticipation,

Sherlock

co-creator Mark Gatiss has officially confirmed that the beloved

detective drama

starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will not be returning. He dismissed all possibilities of a reboot, a new cast, or even a one-off film.

A Brilliant Run, but No Encore

Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, Sherlock premiered in 2010 and quickly became a global sensation. With its modern-day adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective tales, the series ran for four seasons and a Christmas special, concluding in 2017. Despite its immense success, attempts to reunite the cast for a continuation have repeatedly stalled due to conflicting schedules.Speaking to Collider at the International Global Series Festival, Gatiss offered a definitive response, saying: “No. We had our go, and we struck gold with Benedict and Martin. I mean, there’s no… what would be the point? You’d just be doing it again.”Gatiss, who also portrayed Mycroft Holmes in the series, added: “It’s great to tip your hat to what a wonderful thing it was, but also it’s lovely to move forward.”

Why No Comeback?

Gatiss revealed that a potential Sherlock film was discussed during the pandemic lockdown, with both Cumberbatch and Freeman expressing interest. However, it ultimately did not progress. “Because Benedict and Martin didn’t want to do any more,” he explained.He stressed the importance of recognising when a story has reached its natural end, stating: “It’s important to acknowledge when a time is a time. Sometimes, it is there and then it stops, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

What’s Next for Mark Gatiss?

Gatiss is now focused on a new project titled Bookish — a six-part detective drama set in post-war London. He stars as Gabriel Book, a closeted antiquarian bookseller who turns into a sleuth. The series is set to premiere on July 16, marking a new chapter in Gatiss’s storytelling journey.