Steven Moffat thinks 'Sherlock' "would be over by now" if more episodes were made per season.
The show's executive producer has hit back at a recent BBC Trust report, which argued it would be of great benefit to BBC One to air 12 episodes of the hit detective drama, insisting the show's leading men Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman would have quit if it was any longer than three episodes per series.
Speaking at the European premiere of 'Guardians of the Galaxy' in London's Leicester Square last night (24.07.14), Steven exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "BBC should be more innovative and make more of 'Sherlock'? Do they know what innovative means is my question?!
"It would never happen now. It could have happened at the beginning but had it happened, the show would be over by now because the boys wouldn't be doing it. That will never happen.
"I'm quite surprised we're announcing four [episodes for 2015] because it's normally three - and that's a huge step up for us!"
Martin - who plays Dr. John Watson - recently earned two Emmy Award nominations in the US and Steven admits he worries he may lose his two stars, both of whom have built up impressive film careers, to Hollywood.
However, the talented writer believes Martin and Benedict both love making 'Sherlock' as it's a nice break from their busy TV and film commitments in America.
He explained: "I think we might lose all of them to the US! In a way we have. If we were doing long runs of 'Sherlock', we'd have them lost them already.
"It's the fact they love it so much that they want to come back. Because it's an occasional treat, every two years you get back together and make a few of them - that can go on a bit.
"We're very proud and one day I suppose that pride will stop us making it because we don't ever want to make a bad one.
"We're all very excited by it and we all know whatever other successes we have or are having, we'll never have an experience like that."
Tagged in Martin Freeman Benedict Cumberbatch Steven Moffat