The fourth season of BBC's Sherlock is hitting the small screen in 2016, with one special episode airing sometime in December 2015.

Fans of the world's most popular detective will be delighted to know that new episodes of the hit BBC show are finally coming after two years. Sherlock has traditionally aired a new season every two years, and since the latest season was in 2014, it makes sense that Season 4 is coming in 2016, although there were rumors that it could be pushed back to 2017 because of the lead star's busy schedule.

However, reports showed that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were seen filming what seems to be the Season 4 Christmas Special in England. This is the special episode that BBC confirmed to air in December 2015.

Don't be surprised to see a new Holmes in the newest season. Although Executive Producer Mark Gatiss, who also plays Mycroft Holmes in the series, is enigmatic about the rumors, it seems that Tom Hiddleston (from Thor 3: Ragnarok and Avengers 2: Age of Ultron) could be joining the cast as Sherlock's older brother.

Cumberbatch hinted on tackling Sherlock's family background in the new season. "You find out about Sherlock's background. You find out that he comes from a truly stab family," he says in an interview.

The new season could shed light on how he used to be a highly insecure kid that began as a taunt from his brother Mycroft.

If rumors turn out to be true, Hiddleston becomes the third brother, Sherrinford Holmes.

But that's not the only rumor fans will be shocked to hear. In an interview with the Nerdist Podcast, Cumberbatch hinted that Sherlock might be gay. When asked about the similarity between his character and Doctor Who, he said:

"He talks fast and is clever. They've got different dress sense, different taste in the sex of their partners."