The third series of the BBC's Sherlock is on schedule to start filming early next year.

Beryl Vertue, mother-in-law of Sherlock showrunner Steven Moffat (and mother of his wife, fellow producer Sue Vertue) confirmed the early 2013 start, but said it was too early to announce actual air dates.

Series 3 picks up after a massive cliffhanger that closed out series 2, and Moffat has said that it will introduce "great new villains" from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes tales.

A year seems like a long time to wait, but it's about as early as could be expected, considering that Moffat has the 50th anniversary season of Doctor Who to plan.

[bbc]