As expected, filming on Sherlock series 3 is about to get underway, and today BBC One tweeted a photo of stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman at their first read through!

“Sherlock read-through over, plenty of surprises in store for series three,” the official account said. They included this fantastic photo:

In addition, the first new cast member of series three has been unveiled. British actor Tomi May has joined the show and attended today’s read through, but at this time his role is still unknown. The news of his involvement was shared by the agency who represents him.

In a video interview we’re publishing later today, Freeman said filming would begin this week. Other reports from different Sherlock sources have indicated that the exact filming start date is Monday, March 18.

Series producer Sue Vertue told Sherlockology recently that series three will be shot in two sections this year. They’ll knock out two episodes starting next week and then take a break to accomodate Cumberbatch and Freeman’s schedules (when we presume they’ll take care of Star Trek Into Darkness publicity and The Hobbit filming respectively). Then, they’ll return to film one more episode “a few weeks later.” Said Vertue, “We could never have fitted all three films into one long go because of everyone’s availability. It’s being flexible like this which allows us to keep making them.”

In recent weeks we’ve shared with you photos from the set of Sherlock series three sent out (in a teasing manner) by the show’s production designer.