Sherlock series 3 begins tonight with “The Empty Hearse” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman! Gear yourself up with the trailer and more!

Update: The episode has aired! Read our ‘Sherlock’ recap

Happy New Sherlock! That’s right, just 717 days since the great detective was last on our screens (but who’s counting?), the show returns to BBC One at 9 p.m. GMT tonight in the U.K. The American premiere will follow a little later, debuting January 19.

“Two years after the devastating effects of [Series 2’s finale] The Reichenbach Fall, Dr John Watson has got on with his life. New horizons, romance and a comforting domestic future beckon. But, with London under threat of a huge terrorist attack, Sherlock Holmes is about to rise from the grave with all the theatricality that comes so naturally to him. It’s what his best friend wanted more than anything, but for John Watson it might well be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’! If Sherlock thinks everything will be just as he left it though, he’s in for a very big surprise…”

Previously on ‘Sherlock’

Not that any of you have forgotten the massive cliffhanger to series 2, episode 1 “The Reichenbach Fall” – but it has been two years, so we’ll give you a quick recap in case you’re rusty.

After framing him as a fraud and a fake in the national press, Moriarty gave Sherlock an ultimatum: jump from the roof of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital to his death, or suffer the deaths of his friends (John, Mrs. Hudson, and Greg Lestrade). To seal the deal, Andrew Scott’s Moriarty shot himself in the head, preventing Benedict Cumberbatch’s super sleuth from cheating the system. And so, Martin Freeman’s John Watson watched as his best friend jumped to his death. Except he didn’t, of course. Because despite John watching Sherlock jump off the building, and even checking the (non-existent) pulse of his best friend – the super sleuth is seen, still very much alive, at the end of the episode.

Now, after two years of agonising waiting, wild speculation, and a million re-watching sessions it’s here! Tonight is the night we finally discover how Sherlock faked his death. Check out the trailer for series 3 below!

And, in case you missed its reveal over the busy Christmas period, the series 3 prequel minisode “Many Happy Returns” was released online, featuring some strange facial hair (and a change of heart) for Anderson, a series of incredible adventures taking place around the earth, and Sherlock’s very special message for John! Here it is…

Sherlock series 3, episode 1 “The Empty Hearse” premières tonight, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington and Mark Gatiss (who also penned the return). Stick with Hypable after the show as we bring you a recap of the episode, as well as all of the reaction and speculation you’ll need!

How do you think ‘Sherlock’ faked his death?

It’s time to cash in on any last minute kudos! How do you think Sherlock faked his death in “The Reichenbach Fall”? And what are you most looking forward to about the show’s return?