Martin Freeman hints new Sherlock episodes are a long way off after admitting ‘some of it isn't fun anymore’

Sherlock fans are in for a disappointment after star of the BBC series Martin Freeman hinted that new episodes are a long way off.

The actor also criticised feedback the show has received, claiming some people’s expectations 'weren’t fun anymore'.

When asked whether there had been talk of new episodes among the cast and crew, he told The Telegraph: “Not massively. Um… I think after series four [it] felt like a pause. I think we felt we’d done it for a bit now.

“And part of it, speaking for myself is [due to] the reception of it.”

Referring to the critical reception around the 2017 series, which wasn’t as well-received as previous runs, Freeman called the pressure of living up to expectations ‘impossible’.

“To be absolutely honest, it [was] kind of impossible. Sherlock became the animal that it became immediately.

“Whereas even with The Office it was a slow burn."

He continued: “But Sherlock was frankly notably high quality from the outset. And when you start [that high] it’s pretty hard to maintain that.”

“Being in that show, it is a mini-Beatles thing. People’s expectations, some of it’s not fun anymore.

“It’s not a thing to be enjoyed, it’s a thing of: ‘You better f****** do this, otherwise, you’re a c***.’ That’s not fun anymore."

Sherlock boss Mark Gatiss, previously warned fans that a new series of the hit detective drama was more than ‘two years away’ blaming stars Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s busy schedules for the delay.

Freeman recently starred in Black Panther as Agent Everett Ross, while Cumberbatch is leading the cast of new Sky Atlantic series Patrick Melrose.