Were still on the first.

This is the last week of our first episode, so we always come to London to do exteriors.

Thats what we start later today in North Gower Street, thats our outside of 221B.

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No Parliament or…

I dont think so.

To be honest, I never really look.

I like life to surprise me.

Can you tell us anything about episode one,The Empty Hearse?

There are new cast people and the old cast people, the old regular favourites.

But you cant say anything about that?

I wouldnt want to, really.

I wouldnt want to spoil anyones fun.

Its not called John yet, Im aiming by series five [laughter].

Is there a time jump between when the last series ended and where we kick off.

Its pretty much what it is [in the books] actually.

Its pretty much a couple of years, thats what were playing it as.

So have you changed much in those years?

John

Yeah, I mean Johns circumstances have changed in a way that youll see.

When John and Sherlock finally come face to face again, its obviously a big moment.

Is that going to be a tear-jerker, a string of invective from you?

It will be a big moment.

After two years away of thinking someones dead and seeing theyre not.

Its a very big moment in Conan Doyle.

It might not be exactly the same as Conan Doyle, but its definitely marked.

Will it rival your graveside speech inThe Reichenbach Fall?

My actings not that good [laughter].

I dont know, I hope so.

I think its good.

Youve already filmed it?

How did [Freemans partner in real life] Amanda Abbingtons casting come about?

Mark and Sue had worked with Amanda before, so they contacted her.

As easy as that!

Kind of, yeah.

They both knew she was good so yeah, that was a nice little coincidence.

Were you very pleased when it was announced?

No, Im gutted [laughter].

I am pleased, yeah.

Because I know Amandas really good and I know shes a good team player so its great.

Is Amanda in just the first episode or…

Mind your own business [laughter].

Do you have a lot of scenes with her?

Whats your approach to secret-keeping on Sherlock?

Do you make a run at convince yourself you actually dont know things that you know?

Sometimes I really dont know.

Id rather feel stupid and find out than know an hour in advance.

What would be your price then?

What could have someone tempted you with to convince you to give up Sherlocks secret?

Money, or a role?

Did Rebecca Wade send you?

Its not life and death, but it does ruin fun if you…

I think we probably killed them [laughter].

I dont think it ended up getting out.

Its more fun to keep stuff secret.

How do you feel about photos going on Twitter as youre filming things?

Im not a huge fan of it.

I dont think technological advances like that are exactly progress really.

I like the idea of not everything happening between two human beings to beeveryonesproperty.

Do you know what I mean?

Because now, Can I have a picture?

is the same as in my day, Hello.

So Hello, nice to meet you is now Can I have a picture?

and then they get out the camera and people start to line up.

Sue Vertue Tweeted asking people not to spoil things.

I think the fans are very respectful of the show.

Its kind of like, there is no deferredanythingany more.

No deferred gratification at all, for anything which I think is a shame, I have to say.

Is part of you nostalgic then, for 2010 when you were filming it and no-one really noticed?

It was quite nice actually.

I think it was probably easier, just logistically easier.

Ill find out what its going to be like today.

The fans do love it, and its made a tremendous impact.

What is it about it thats made it different and more popular than previous incarnations of Sherlock?

I think its brilliantly written.

But this is contemporary, thats not been done for ages.

Benedicts a very good Sherlock.

He looks like Sherlock Holmes, he sounds like Sherlock Holmes, hes really good.

I suppose theyve highlighted the relationship between Sherlock and John more than many others.

I think John is less of a passenger in this than he has been in other incarnations.

I like the friendly conflict between them.

Some people like to see John and Sherlock literally rubbing up against each other… As that came out of my mouth I thought Oh no.

Thats the internet for you.

But its beautifully written, its beautifully shot.

The visual aspect as well, can never be underestimated, just how influential that has been.

It looks beautiful, is written beautifully, and its acted well.

Director Paul McGuigans not back for series three is he?

Is he going to be a loss?

Obviously the answer is, I hope not.

Yeah, we miss him, but at the same time, were getting on with it.

He set a template that can now be followed?

He did, absolutely yeah, he was instrumental in that, and that should never be forgotten.

But it was a team thing as well.

Youve seen all three scripts for the third series?

Ive only just seen the second one, literally.

IthinkIm allowed to say that.

[This interview took place in April 2013].

How do you think youve overcome that problem, because actually, people love that, dont they?

It wasnt necessarily the gizmos that worried me, it was just the tone of it.

I feared the tone might be too cool and too knowingly cool.

I can live without endless television programmes and films just centred around computers.

I can sort of live without that.

But, if they help serve the story, then I have no problem with it.

Youll make something okay.

I havent Im afraid, not out of any boycotting of it, I just havent seen it.

Martin Freeman, thank you very much!