Sherlock's Surprise Cameo in BBC Christmas Special: What it Means for the Future of Sherlock

The Sneaky Cameo: How Sherlock Made an Unexpected Appearance

Sherlock's co-creator Mark Gatiss confirms that Sherlock made a surprise appearance in a new BBC Christmas special. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular detective, Sherlock ran for four seasons on BBC from 2010–2017. The series was co-created by Gatiss and Steven Moffat, and starred Cumberbatch alongside Martin Freeman, Andrew Scott, Rupert Graves, and Une Stubbs.

John Watson (Martin Freeman) looking serious next to a sad Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) in Sherlock season 3 episode The Empty Hearse

Years later, Gatiss explains to Radio Times how he managed to sneak a cameo from Sherlock Holmes in his recent Christmas special. Titled A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No. 249, the Gatiss Christmas special is an Arthur Conan Doyle adaptation whose origin story does not include Sherlock Holmes. However, Gatiss managed to add in a character — Reverend Plumtree Peterson — whose identity was left ambiguous, but who Gatiss confirms was intended to be a representation of Holmes. In the story, his friend is called the Reverend Plumtree Peterson – with a name like that, [the character] promises a great deal and then doesn't really do much... and I just thought, 'Oh, I know!'.

Benedict Cumberbatch sitting and looking up in the Sherlock Holmes Season 4 Finale

In the original script, Smith says 'It won't do, Holmes, it really won't.' – and I thought, no, I'm not going to say it's definitely him.

John Lebar as the golem and Benedict Cumberbatch in his jacket and scarf in Sherlock

The Future of Sherlock: What the Cameo Means for Fans

While Gatiss’ sneaky inclusion of Sherlock Holmes in Lot No. 249 is a fun throwback, the cameo is not a significant way to bring back Sherlock. Many were upset when Sherlock stopped developing new episodes after season 4, given that each season only included three episodes. Furthermore, the three episodes in Sherlock season 4 were highly divisive, especially the last episode, “The Final Problem,” which introduced Sherlock’s sister Eurus in a more horror-like plot structure.

Sherlock Holmes and Watson walking together in His Last Bow

Even when future seasons look unlikely, Sherlock was not definitively canceled. Both Cumberbatch and Freeman had their careers explode after debuting in Sherlock, with both actors scoring parts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Freeman acting as the lead in The Hobbit franchise. Gatiss’ effort to include the detective in the recent special proves that the creator is still interested in Sherlock, even if he is not developing a season 5. There have been several roadblocks to the next season, but the breadth of Doyle’s work suggests that there is still a ripe world for Sherlock. Viewers can only hope that the creator’s most recent Sherlock Holmes cameo attempt might indicate an increased interest in resuscitating Sherlock after all these years.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock outside 221B in the deerstalker hat

The Legacy of Sherlock: Impact and Speculations

The legacy of Sherlock continues to intrigue fans and creators alike. Despite the unlikelihood of future seasons, Gatiss’s effort to include the detective in the recent special proves that the creator is still interested in Sherlock, even if he is not developing a season 5. There have been several roadblocks to the next season, but the breadth of Doyle’s work suggests that there is still a ripe world for Sherlock. Viewers can only hope that the creator’s most recent Sherlock Holmes cameo attempt might indicate an increased interest in resuscitating Sherlock after all these years.

Sherlock’s impact on the careers of its actors is undeniable. Both Cumberbatch and Freeman had their careers explode after debuting in Sherlock, with both actors scoring parts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Freeman acting as the lead in The Hobbit franchise. This fact makes both actors’ schedules a lot busier, reducing the chances that Sherlock season 5 will happen.