Fans have been eagerly waiting the fourth season of the BBC's "Sherlock" series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Martin Freeman as Watson. PBS President Paula Kerger has now broken her silence and has given fans a vague idea when "Sherlock" season 4 may finally premiere.

According to a report from Zap2It, Kerger stated during this year's Television Critics Association winter press tour that the next season is still one year away, confirming that it will release sometime in 2017. Previous seasons have premiered in January of their respective years and it is now likely "Sherlock" season 4 will follow suit.

During the panel, Kerger also explained why it has taken this long for the fourth season to be completed. Kerger explained that the stars of the show, Cumberbatch in particular, have a busy schedule now that they have gained new projects, such as their appearances in several Marvel films.

"As you know, Benedict has gotten to be somewhat popular since we began our work with him," Kerger explained. "And he very much wants to continue with 'Sherlock.' As you know, they are produced almost like films, and we're hoping the next one will be about a year from now."

Cumberbatch is currently locked in Marvel's "Doctor Strange," where he plays the titular superhero, and is likely to reprise the role in future Marvel films such as "Avengers: Infinity War" parts one and two. Martin Freeman is also locked into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is set to make an appearance in this year's "Captain America: Civil War."

"Sherlock" season 3 started with the titular hero coming back after many presumed he died in the season 2 finale and ended with Sherlock leaving the U.K. only to be brought back when messages from his rival and criminal mastermind James Moriarty (Andrew Scott) appears.

As it stands, "Sherlock" season 4 will not premiere until early 2017.