No, seriously, what's earlier than the first day of the year? BBC announced via Facebook today that Sherlockwill return after three years on January 1, 2017.

SEE ALSO:Benedict Cumberbatch hints that 'Sherlock' may be coming to an end

"The Six Thatchers" will be the first of three episodes including "The Dying Detective" and a third, unnamed episode.

Star Benedict Cumberbatch said earlier this month that the latest season "feels like the end of an era."

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"It goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately," he told GQ.

While that thought is too terrifying to entertain in the slightest, luckily, fans won't have to. We still have three full-length episodes left with the Baker Street detective, and come January, the game will be afoot once more.

TopicsBBC