For the first time we’re getting four new episodes of Sherlock in one series.

The bonus installment is technically a Sherlock mini episode, BBC One confirmed today. Titled “Many Happy Returns,” the story will be available via BBC’s Red Button service and online starting December 25 (Christmas Day).

The synopsis for the Sherlock mini episode reads, “Sherlock has been gone for 2 years. But someone isn’t quite convinced that he’s dead…”

Who could it be that thinks our favorite detective is still alive? Perhaps Watson himself, who may be still in denial over his friend’s passing and continues searching for clues of his survival. Whoever it is, it turns out he was right: Sherlock indeed lives.

It sounds like “Many Happy Returns” will be a prequel of sorts to Sherlock series 3’s official start on New Years Day. The synopsis for the series indicates that the show will pick up two years after his climactic fall during the series 2 finale.

What do you think will happen in the ‘Sherlock’ mini episode?

Series 3 premieres January 1 on BBC One with episodes 2 and 3 following on January 5 and January 12. In the United States the show airs January 19 on PBS. Stateside, there’s no word yet about when the mini-episode will air but we’ve reached out to PBS for comment.

(Pictured above: A behind-the-scenes photo from filming series 3.)