We learned last month that the U.S. start date for Season 3 of Sherlock would be January 19, 2014 on PBS Masterpiece, but there was still no word at that time what the UK premiere date on BBC One would be.

Now, the BBC announced that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson for the third season on January 1, 2014 in the UK, and they had an interesting way of making the announcement – they’re driving a hearse with #SherlockLives on it through the streets of London!

First, BBC One changed their Twitter handle to read #SherlockLives, then they began tweeting photos of a hearse with flowers in the window that spell out “Sherlock 01 01 2014” with the hashtag #SherlockLives on the passenger window. The hearse is currently being driven through the streets of London. It was on its way to Parliament Square earlier today.

Sherlock Holmes – in *living* memory, #TheEmptyHearse premieres Jan 1st 2014 on @BBCOne. #SherlockLives pic.twitter.com/PnrWPTGnMp

— #SherlockLives (@BBCOne) November 29, 2013

After episode one of Season 3, titled “The Empty Hearse,” airs on BBC One on January 1, the second episode “The Sign of Three,” follows on January 5, with the series finale, “His Last Vow,” debuting on January 12, 2013. On December 15 in London, The British Film Institute will screen “The Empty Hearse.”

Once the season completes its run in the UK, it will air on PBS Masterpiece in the U.S. on January 19, 2014 at 10pm ET.

Fans of Sherlock know that at the end of the second season, Watson believes that Sherlock is dead, but the question is how did he survive the fall? And what will happen now when Sherlock returns to Baker Street after his friend has already grieved the loss of him and supposedly moved on? That’s part of what this upcoming season will deal with.

Here’s what Mark Gatiss, who wrote “The Empty Hearse,” posted to his Twitter account:

Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective. Much missed by friends & family. In *living* memory. Jan 1st 2014! #SherlockLives

— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) November 29, 2013

Gatiss co-created Sherlock with current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, and appears in the series as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes.

Video

[Source: BBC America]

Follow me on Twitter.