Mark Gatiss has expressed interest in making a Sherlock movie, leading on from the hit TV series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson respectively.

However, doing that won’t be easy…

Gatiss explains:

“People think you can just wave a wand. It’s incredibly difficult to get people interested and get films made. But, also, we were genuinely interested in making them for TV because we love TV. We would love to make a Sherlock movie. It’s the natural thing to do.”

Gatiss, who wrote episode of Doctor Who such as The Unquiet Dead, Cold War, and Sleep No More, co-created Sherlock with former Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat (The Girl in the Fireplace; The Day of the Doctor). The show proved hugely popular, but seemingly came to an end with Series 4’s The Final Problem (2017). Nonetheless, it was open ended, so more stories could very well be made.

And both Moffat and Gatiss have expressed interest in continuing — but it all depends on the availabilities of the perpetually-busy Cumberbatch and Freeman (both of whom are largely involved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the former as Dr Strange and the latter as Everett Ross).

It wouldn’t be the first time a recent hit series spun off into a TV movie, though: Luther, created by Hide writer, Neil Cross, did it; as did Spooks. We’re sure there are loads of examples, but it’s late, okay? (Does The TV Movie starring Paul McGann count? Sort of. We’re calling it anyway.)

For now, we’ll have to wait and see if more Sherlock ever appears, and if either Moffat or Gatiss return to Doctor Who…