Benedict Cumberbatch Too Busy With Movie Career To Handle 'Sherlock' Season 4?

Fans have been anticipting the Christmas episode for "Sherlock" and they might have to enjoy every morsel of seeing Benedict Cumberbatch on screen as his busy schedule might prevent him from continuing to play the world's greatest detective past season 4.

The "Sherlock" season 4 has already been pushed back many times because of the busy schedule, not just of Benedict Cumberbatch, but also Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson) as well.

Apart from playing Hamlet on stage, Benedict Cumberbatch is also currently filming "Dr. Strange," and as with actors entering the Marvel Universe, they are usually tied down to four or five movies in standalones or "Avengers" kind of thing.

Even "Sherlock" season 4 showrunner Steven Moffat admitted that they can't go on without their star, Benedict Cumberbatch.

In an interview with Variety, the showrunner compared the main difference between his other show, "Doctor Who," and "Sherlock"

Whereas, the time-lord can be replaced by any actor because of his ability to regenerate, it's different with Sherlock Holmes.

"Once Benedict Cumberbatch gives up "Sherlock," what are we going to do? We are going to stop, that's what we are going to do. Most shows have a built-in mortality," he said.

Benedict Cumberbatch also revealed just how busy his schedule has been, although also dishing some good news for fans.

When he was conferred the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth, Benedict Cumberbatch shared a tidbit with the BCC News about their conversation.

"[Her Majesty] asked me what I was doing at the moment, and I told her I had finished a three month run at the Barbican, which she knew of," he said. "And I told her I had just got back last night from filming in Nepal, Doctor Strange for Marvel, then I'll be going straight into the fourth series of Sherlock. She said: 'Oh, it never stops does it?'"

To date, there's no air date yet for Benedict's Cumberbatch's "Sherlock" season 4 although production is reported to be in April 2016.