Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) and Joan Watson's (Lucy Liu) relationship will feel more strain in "Elementary" season 6. The latest spoiler reveals Joan would receive some bad news that will push her to leave her partner in the new installment.

Speaking to TV Line, Executive Producer Rob Doherty said Joan will be losing someone dear to her who happens to be against his friendship with Sherlock early on in the sixth season, and this may ultimately convince her in cutting ties with her partner.

"Joan will lose someone who was very close to her once upon a time and she will learn that this person made certain assessments regarding the decisions Joan has made as a professional," he told the publication. That will reportedly give her cause to look at her past choices.

The close friend in question is yet to be identified, but whoever that may be, it looks like his/her death will make Joan take an introspective look at her life. She already lost Shinwell (Nelsan Ellis) near the conclusion of the fifth season. The weight of another loss could really change her entire life and the path she has been on with Sherlock.

While fans do not want to watch their partnership to end, it has been hinted throughout the season that Joan had been starting to doubt her relationship with Sherlock. Last season saw them in open conflict already when Miller's character failed to attend Shinwell's funeral. Joan was furious about his absence, especially because he did not bother to explain why he could not make it.

"Elementary" presents a contemporary and American take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic character Sherlock Holmes. The show is confirmed to premiere midseason with 13 episodes. It has no exact release date yet, but it is expected to arrive early next year either on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 or on Thursday, Jan. 11 on CBS.