Sherlock Director Explains How Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange Affected Season 4

In just a few days, BBC's Sherlock will make its long-awaited return to television. The fourth season of the acclaimed drama is set to debut on New Year's in both Britain and America, and it will see Benedict Cumberbatch suit back up as the famed consulting detective. A few years have passed since Sherlock aired a full season, and fans are excited to see the British actor make his comeback since he's been busy with his lead role in Doctor Strange. Now, the director of Sherlock is speaking out about Season 4 and revealing just how Cumberbatch's superhero stint affected his detective role.

WATCH: Sherlock Season 4 Trailer

In an interview with CinemaBlend, Rachel Talalay had this to say about the connection between Sherlock and Stephen Strange.

"Benedict just finished Doctor Strange. He came straight off the set of Doctor Strange onto my set. Because the existence of Benedict as Sherlock existed well before his existence as Doctor Strange, I don't think he brought Doctor Strange," she explained.

"I think that Doctor Strange's humor probably finds some elements in Sherlock. I think it's the other way around. I think Doctor Strange finds Sherlock, not the other way around."

Talalay, who directed the Season 4 premiere of Sherlock, said that one part of Stephen Strange did make itself known on set. She admitted that Cumberbatch would don his American accent for Doctor Strange to toy with her during filming.

"Occasionally he did the Doctor Strange accent because of my American accent. He occasionally did his American Doctor Strange accent to me on set, which amused me," she said.

Of course, there is no reason to believe that Holmes will be adopting an American accent for any reason in Season 4. However, it is nice to know that the highly fuctioning sociopath could do so if needed.

If you need a little refresher on Sherlock, then you have time to catch up on the series. The last season saw Sherlock facing a ruthless enemy who had ties to the world's media empires. Its finale ended with Sherlock exiled from Britain after he killed the man to save his friends, but a nasty surprise forced the British government to bring him back. Shortly after Sherlock left, a nation-wide broadcast featuring Moriarty interrupted peaceful life for millions of citizens. The psychotic villain was seen asking fans, "Did you miss me?" and Sherlock was left to figure out whether the villain had somehow come back to life.

More Sherlock: Sherlock Stars Split After 15 Years / Sherlock Season 4 Trailer / Sherlock Photos Introduce Baby Watson / Sherlock Season 4 Episode Titles / Toby Jones To Play Sherlock's Scariest Villain Yet / Sherlock: The Abominable Bride Collectible Figures

Sherlock Season 4 debuts on New Year's Day, Jan. 1 2016 on the BBC. Sherlock airs as part of PBS' Masterpiece in the United States.