AceShowbiz -

Expect to see Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes juggling solving crimes with his new role as an uncle in the fourth season of "Sherlock". PBS Masterpiece has released new photos of the upcoming installment of the drama series, hinting that John Watson (Martin Freeman) and Mary Morstan's (Amanda Abbington) newborn baby and their dog will be part of their new adventures.

One of the images is an extended family portrait that shows Sherlock looking befuddled as he stares down the baby who is cradled by John, while Mary is standing next to her husband. In another snap taken from behind the scenes of the filming, the foursome are joined by a dog.

Another photo gives the first look at the new villain Culverton Smith, played by Toby Jones. Executive producer Steven Moffatt previously described the character as "the darkest villain we've had." He added, "There was always something charming and engaging about Moriarty. There was something fascinating and actually amoral, rather than immoral, about Charles Augustus Magnussen. This guy is the purest evil."

The fourth season will once again be comprised of three episodes which promise "laughter, tears, shocks, surprises and extraordinary cases." According to the press release, in the upcoming season John and Mary "prepare for their biggest ever challenge - becoming parents for the first time."

The first episode titled "The Six Thatchers" will air January 1, 2017 on PBS Masterpiece, the same date it airs across the pond. Mark Gatiss also returns as Sherlock's brother Mycroft Holmes and Una Stubbs reprises her role as Mrs. Hudson.