Here comes the good news for Sherlock fandom!

Showrunners unveiled the first look of Sherlock Holmes and his blogger John Watson for the fourth season supposedly to air around New Year. In the image released before the San Diego Comic-Con, the detective was seen busy sleuthing with a hound and there was no sign of Watson. 

But the duo is back now.  

The darker tone of the image promises something ominous coming the way of Sherlock and those he loves. Benedict Cumberbatch looks broodingly at the camera while Martin Freeman is looking away. Setlockers, we need to piece this together. 

The boys will be back soon! Here’s the first official picture of #Sherlock and John from Series 4. pic.twitter.com/MqGfuUWb96

— Sherlock (@Sherlock221B) August 31, 2016

At the SDCC 2016 panel, writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss released the trailer for season 4 and they gave three words as clues - Thatcher, Smith, Sherrinford. They also promised that this season will be the darkest of them all and Sherlock will face one of Arthur Conan Doyle's finest villains. 

This season, the regular cast of Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington, Mark Gatiss, Rupert Graves, Louise Brealey, Andre Scott,  and Una Stubbs will be joined by Toby Jones.

Produced by Sue Vertue of Hartswood films, this season the BBC hit show for the first time roped in a female director,Rachel Talalay, to helm the ship. Nick Hurran who directed the last episode of season 3, His Last Vow, is back and a new entry in the form of Benjamin Caron has been made.