http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s129/sherlock/news/a387392/benedict-cumberbatch-sherlock-can-continue-past-series-three.htmlPublished Thursday, Jun 14 2012, 17:28 BST | By Morgan Jeffery
The English actor has recently won a number of Hollywood roles, including parts in Star Trek 2 and Peter Jackson's Hobbit movies, but insisted that he will "always" find time to star in the BBC's hit detective drama.
"It's something I'm not going to give up on," he told TVLine. "I love it too much. It's hard work, but it's so rewarding and such a lovely bunch of people who do it.
"We love our fans and we love what it's created. It's an incredible thing to be part of [and] it doesn't happen that often. Don't worry, it's not going to disappear."
Cumberbatch added that there is "no reason" for Sherlock to end after the upcoming third series, implying that further episodes could be produced.
"We only do three [episodes] at a time, so I think the normal fear of over-stretching the mark and just doing too many [doesn't apply]," he explained.
He continued: "I'd like to see [Sherlock] getting older. We're starting quite young. It's rare to see Holmes and Watson at the beginning of their relationship; we usually join them in their mid-to-late 40s or 50s. I've got a way to go. I mean, I'm only 35."
Sherlock exec Steven Moffat recently revealed to Digital Spy that a third series will begin filming in January.