Sherlock: Comic-Con 2016 panel preview

Comic-Con is afoot, and Sherlock fans are in for a treat.

The wait for new episodes of the PBS series is nearly over — it’s been two years since the third season aired, with only a one-off Victorian-inspired special to whet fans’ appetites — and the fourth season just around the corner, hitting the small screen in early 2017. But even sooner, the cast and crew are assembling for what’s sure to be a tantalizing, teaser-filled panel at San Diego Comic-Con this Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know heading into this weekend’s gathering.

Where we left off: While the New Year’s special “The Abominable Bride” served mostly as a festive aside to the show’s usual narrative, one hanging thread from Sherlock‘s season three finale was finally addressed: Super-villain Moriarty (Andrew Scott) is not alive, after all. After a drug-induced, Victorian fever dream, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) realized that while his mortal enemy might be dead, he is definitely not gone. Even villains have friends, it seems, but that doesn’t ruffle the great detective’s feathers. “More importantly,” he said, “I know exactly what he’s going to do next.” So what exactly does Moriarty have planned?

What we know about season 4: Whatever’s in store, it’s sure to be huge, according to co-creator Mark Gatiss. “All I can say is, this is a major, life-changing series for the regulars. The repercussions of Moriarty’s apparent return are far-reaching. It’s very big stuff,” the writer told EW last winter. Perhaps part of this is Toby Jones’ mysterious new character, whose casting was announced in May. The actor is set to play one of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “finest villains” – producers have kept tight-lipped about exactly which one – in the second installment of the three-episode season. Little else is known about the secretive series, but director Rachel Talalay, who helms the fourth season premiere, gave EW the inside scoop from her time on set.

Comic-Con burning questions: What is up with this dog?! And does it have anything to do with Sherlock’s childhood pet, Redbeard?

Amanda Abbington (Mary Watson), Steven Moffat (co-creator/writer), Mark Gatiss (co-creator/writer), and Sue Vertue (producer) join moderator Chris Hardwick for the Sherlock panel on Sunday, July 24 at 10 a.m. in Comic-Con’s Hall H.