‘Sherlock’ Season 4 Spoilers: John Watson Struggles with Newfound Parenthood with Wife Mary; Benedict Cumberbatch Admits Avoiding Fan Theories

‘Sherlock’ season 4 is set to feature Dr. John Watson as he struggles with newfound parenthood with his wife Mary. Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that he avoids fan theories since he doesn’t want them to affect his work in the series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that season 4 will usher in new challenges for his titular character as well as his friend John Watson (Martin Freeman). This includes newfound parenthood after John’s wife Mary (Amanda Abbington) gave birth to their first child.

Cumberbatch teased, "There are a lot of new things going on, for example there’s a baby! So parenting responsibilities have kicked in for the super sleuths! Child care is never easy, but it gets even more complicated when crime’s involved."

When asked about how Sherlock felt with the arrival of the baby, he said, "I think Sherlock feels very protective toward them as a family, but he’s not a natural or a figure of authority when it comes to a newborn."

Cumberbatch continued, “I hope my skills and interaction with my own are a little bit more engaged than his are! He’s seemingly indifferent, which is comic at times but it’s all underpinned with a deep love, and he’s a guardian angel really."

The 40-year old English actor also admitted to avoiding fan theories about his own self-professed consulting detective. According to Metro, Cumberbatch said, “I think I would be pretty affected by what I read or saw, so I stay clear of that.”

He explained, “I can’t have too many voices and influences. I have to trust my directors and writers and actors to make what we’re making… Reaction veers passionately in every direction with this subject and character. Some of that does get back to me – but hopefully that’s the nicer stuff.”

Cumberbatch also promised that the incoming season will be much darker in story than its predecessors. Toby Jones has been cast as the latest villain Culverton Smith and was seen taunting Sherlock in the season 4 trailer. It was also speculated that Sherlock’s archnemesis Moriarty (Andrew Scott) will be reappearing on the series.

‘Sherlock’ season 4 is scheduled to air on BBC One on January 1, 2017 with the first episode, titled "The Six Thatchers." It was directed by Rachel Talalay and written by Mark Gatiss.