'Sherlock' writers Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat wanted to restore the show to its "factory settings" with season four.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock
Though it has been speculated the current series - which drew to a dramatic close last night (15.01.17) - would be the last, the scribes have admitted they would "love to" return again in the future and believe they ended the programme on the right note to do that.
Mark said: "Our original intention of the series was to go back to the beginning and see them as younger men and... restore it to its factory settings. But I think what's actually happened is that we have now done the story of how the Sherlock Homes and Doctor Watson that we have always known, how they became those men. It's actually really a backstory.
"The reason we [ended with] Rathbone Place is that, actually, if we do come back - and we would love to come back - we could absolutely very easily start with a knock at the door and Sherlock saying to John 'Do you want to come out and play?'. They have become the two heroes that we always knew them to be."
Steven added: "If this was the last time - we're not planning it, but it might be, it's possible - we could end it there. We couldn't have ended it on any of the previous series because they always ended up with whopping great cliffhangers."
And the writers think a return for Sherlock would see the titular detective - who is played by Benedict Cumberbatch - stronger than ever as he has now got in touch with his human side.
Steven explained to RadioTimes.com: "I suppose it's that Sherlock now finally understands that's he's stronger and smarter than Mycroft in a way. But not because he is actually smarter - he's less smart - but because his emotions, his connections to other human beings, the wisdom he has gained from his connections he has made in the world, make him stronger.
"He sees that, partly because the extreme of [his sister] Eurus who has no connection to anything, is just pure brain, not understanding anything about what it is to be human. [This] makes him realise everything he has worked towards, everything he has tried to get away from himself and deny about himself, is what makes him the strongest.
"He isn't as smart as Eurus, he isn't as smart as Mycroft but he is always going to win against them because he is better and stronger. That is him becoming the Sherlock Holmes of Basil Rathbone and [fellow Holmes actor] Jeremy Brett, the one we're used to, the wise old man... who is still terrifying and still cold but has a heart that you never doubt."
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