It's been two years since the premiere of Sherlock: Series 2 with it's impressive opener, A Scandal in Belgravia. And with the recent success of the series stars, Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek) it was rumored that a third series may not even happen, but to everyone's delight both stars revealed that they were certain they would return, and now we've got a set release date of January 1st, 2014.

According to Empire the first episode will be an adaptation of the original Doyle story An Empty House called An Empty Hearse clearly signaling that Holmes is indeed back, despite the massive twist at the end of the second series.

This will be the final series of Sherlock according to The Guardian with show runner Stephen Moffat writing and directing the series final episode, His Last Vow which looks to be hinting at Watson's wedding. Despite seeing such a brilliant show come to an end, it's exciting to get three more episodes to close it out.