'Sherlock' season 5 release date, update: Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel confirms very long hiatus

“Sherlock” is practically a gathering of sought-after actors, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Martin Freeman, and series writers, Mark Gatiss, and Steven Moffat, along with an equally talented supporting cast. It certainly helped create a critically-acclaimed TV series watched by millions worldwide. However, it also likely contributed to the very long breaks between installments such as the one happening for “Sherlock” season 5.

‘Sherlock’ season 5 cast: Benedict Cumberbatch’s busy schedule signals years-long hiatus

It has been over two years since the latest series installment was released, but the announcement of “Sherlock” season 5 is unlikely happening anytime soon. One obvious reason is the lineup of projects that its main star, Cumberbatch, who portrays Sherlock, has in the coming years.

Cumberbatch attended the recently concluded San Diego Comic-Con last week for the Marvel Cinematic Universe panel where an array of upcoming films were announced. Fans waiting for “Sherlock” season 5 can get another clue that the series is still far along. Part of the so-called MCU Phase 4 is the sequel “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” where the actor also plays the titular role.

According to his IMDb page, Cumberbatch is currently filming the TV movie “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” while at least six other titles are either in pre-production or have been announced slated to be released in the next two or three years. This could be another telling proof that “Sherlock” season 5 will not be released or even enter production in several years.

‘Sherlock’ season 5 release date: Is there a chance for a series renewal?

The difficulty of making the cast and showrunners’ schedules meet has been an issue long before the wait for “Sherlock” season 5 started. It has been cited in a report by the Guardian as early as 2011 — about a year since the first season aired.

TV networks typically base the decision of series renewals on the viewership numbers, and “Sherlock” definitely checks this box. The fourth season finale “The Final Problem” reportedly got the lowest rating in the show’s history, but it was still purportedly watched by over 8.1 million viewers upon release in the United Kingdom alone. This could have ensured the making of “Sherlock” season 5, but Gatiss and Moffat have also been signed by BBC to create a TV adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”