The biggest surprise at the Primetime Emmys Monday night was easily just how dominant the BBC’s Sherlock was. The British import won three of the major miniseries/movie awards and took home four others during the Creative Arts ceremony. However, creates Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss won’t have long to celebrate. They have to get to work on season four.

While a fourth season was long rumored, it was not confirmed until July since stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have packed schedules now. However, the new season won’t start until next year, when the Christmas Special will air. A full season of more 90-minute episodes will follow.

Cumberbatch, who plays Sherlock Holmes, and Freeman, who stars as Dr. Watson, won for their performances in the His Last Vow episode. Moffat also won an Emmy for writing the episode. Cumberbatch and Freeman beat a field of stats from HBO’s The Normal Heart, which only beat Sherlock in the Outstanding Movie category.

“I was shocked and surprised,” Moffat told Deadline after the ceremony. “I was delighted we won four awards at the Creatives, but The Normal Heart is brilliant. I feel guilty about every award we took from them.”

As for season four, Moffat said that he and Gattis want to top season three “and our plan is so devastating that our cast was reduced to tears.”

Season four won’t start filming until January.

image courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com