Sherlock fans quiz first look photo

LOS ANGELES — Thanks to Sherlock’s British broadcaster BBC One, fans around the world have managed to get a first look at stars Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (John Watson) in the coming special episode. And it seems the dynamic duo are getting in touch with their iconic characters’ literary roots, looking downright Victorian in the new photo.

Accompanied by the hashtag #notkidding, Sherlock producer Sue Vertue posted a picture of the pair looking decidedly more dapper than usual: Sherlock is pictured sporting a top hat and black tie, while Watson is seen in an equally vintage-looking bowler hat and brown suit, prompting fans to ask if the special episode is going to be a period piece, has something to do with time travel or a game of dress-up.

An earlier tweet from Vertue — which included a photo of the special’s script — alerted fans that a preview of the one-off was forthcoming. “This is what we’ve been doing today! Later on a pic of Sherlock and John as they’ll appear in the Special #221back,” it read.

Freeman has previously spoken about the special, which is set to air sometime next year. “It is such a good idea and as I was listening to it, I thought ‘we’ve just got to do this’. It’s a fantastic, really mouth-watering idea,” he said.

Either way, the interest of viewers is piqued for the special that will begin shooting in January. A fourth season of Sherlock is set to commence production later in 2015 and come to our screens in 2016. In the meantime, both Freeman and Cumberbatch will appear in The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, which is slated to be released next month. Agencies