It's a good thing the "Sherlock" holiday special called "The Abominable Bride" was a spectacle, because the Victorian era-set installment will be what fans will have to settle with as they wait for "Sherlock" season 4, which won't come anytime soon.

Fans will have to wait for a whole year (or more) before a full-fledged brand new season of the series that follows the adventures of the greatest sleuth to ever walk the earth and his trusty sidekick will see the light of day.

"We do have the next 'Sherlock' announced, that is coming up about a year from now," PBS president Paula Kerger told Zap2it. This is for most part due to the extremely hectic schedule of series lead star Benedict Cumberbatch.

"As you know, Benedict has gotten to be somewhat popular since we began our work with him and he very much wants to continue with 'Sherlock,'" Kerger explained about a big reason behind the year-long wait for "Sherlock" season 4.

Kerger also stated that the amount of work in making episodes for the series is manifold times than regular shows out there. "As you know, they are produced almost like films, and we're hoping the next one will be about a year from now," she added.

Judging by Kerger's remark, even a 2017 premiere for "Sherlock" season 4 is not set in stone yet and that the timeframe is merely a target date where Cumberbatch will be free to film. Needless to say, there's no doubt the fans' fervor to see Cumberbatch in action in "Sherlock" season 4 will not falter even after a year.

The actor has, in fact, been a busy bee in the past months. He's currently filming the much-awaited Marvel movie "Doctor Strange," where he plays the titular sorcerer. He's been in Broadway and starred in other films like "Star Trek into Darkness" and "The Imitation Game."