Benedict Cumberbatch To Lead Showtime Limited Series “Melrose,” Does This Mean No More BBC “Sherlock”?

“Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch will be adding another TV project in his resume. Deadline reports that Showtime Networks and Sky Atlantic will co-produce a five-part limited series about the semi-autobiography book “The Patrick Melrose Novels,” and that Cumberbatch will be on board as an executive producer and actor. The book, which is written by Edward St. Aubryn, will have Cumberbatch playing Patrick Melrose, “an aristocratic and outrageously funny playboy who struggles to overcome the damage inflicted by a horribly abusive father and the mother who tacitly condoned the behavior.” Shooting will reportedly start in August, and will be held in New York, London and the South of France.

David Nicholls, who is tasked to adapt the book into the limited series version, said in a press release, “I’ve been a huge admirer of Edward St Aubyn’s novels for years, and can’t wait to bring these dark, witty, brilliant books to the screen. Benedict is the perfect Patrick Melrose.”

The news may be a good one for diehard fans looking for the “Dr. Strange” actor to do more screen time, but it could be a doom for longtime viewers of the BBC series “Sherlock.” Cumberbatch is increasingly busy, and has a lot of upcoming projects including playing Doctor Strange again in “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” voicing Shere Khan in Andy Serkis’s “Jungle Book,” voicing the Grinch in “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", and play Thomas Edison in the  biographical historical film "The Current War." This leaves fans wondering if he’ll return for the cult TV favorite.

Writer Mark Gatiss said that he’s having a lot of trouble just trying to bring in Cumberbatch and co-star Martin Freeman, who also is getting a lot of projects following the show’s fame, and will not continue without its original leading man. BBC has also confirmed that they will end “Sherlock” if Cumberbatch will not return as TV’s favorite sleuth.

"I honestly don’t know if there will be any more. It’s incredibly difficult to get Benedict and Martin’s diaries to align. And obviously we left it in a very happy place…if that’s the end I’d be very happy where we left it," he told one tabloid.  

But he said that regardless, “Sherlock” has already established a legacy as the “definitive” version of literary characters Holmes and Dr. John Watson.

"Benedict and Martin have become the definitive Holmes and Watson of our age. I don't think you need to argue that. The characters are immortal and when we finish there will be more interpretations," he added.