As "Sherlock" bagged seven wins at the 66^th Primetime Emmy Awards, its showrunner and co-creator Steven Moffat dropped a couple of clues about its fourth season. In particular, fans should not be looking forward to a lighthearted one, as cheery as that of Moffat's acceptance speech.

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Rather, Entertainment Weekly reported that Moffat plans to go beyond what they have achieved in the third season, referring to their plan as "devastating."

"We've practically reduced our cast to tears telling them the plan ... we're probably more excited than we've ever been about 'Sherlock," Moffat said.

Producer Mark Gatiss also mentioned about the dark nature of "Sherlock" season 4. "We're going to try to take it somewhere we've never been before - and I don't mean outer space," the co-creator said.

Gatiss further explained that it will be another challenging process for the team. He said, "We always start with a re-introduction that builds toward a darker climax - we might just be going darker [from the outset]. We got a very, very good set of ideas."

However, Moffat has not revealed any certain date of the fourth season's premiere, although filming has already been slotted for January despite the busy schedules of "Sherlock" stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

"It's like corralling everyone in a cocktail party," Moffat said. "We have to pitch (them) every year. But, we know what's happening with 'Sherlock' is unusual, so we'll keep making 'Sherlock' as long as it's a good show."

Moffat added that he prefers to carry on with the show as long as possible; he also mentioned about his hopes of having their exposure on the 2014 Emmy Awards rake in more worldwide viewers for the fourth season and beyond.

 "We've won outside of America and we thought that phase was dying down," Moffat commented. "As shows get older, they don't win as often. We're delighted that we've made it here and hopefully this will get more people watching the show."

TagsEmmy Awards 2014, 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch