Martin Freeman, who plays John Watson in the BBC's critically acclaimed Sherlock, says the show could lose some of its sheen if the corporation keeps making new seasons. A fourth outing of the show will hit screens next year and there is a planned Christmas special at the end of 2015.

SherlockMartin Freeman plays Watson in the BBC's critically acclaimed Sherlock

However, Freeman is cautious of Sherlock overkill and suggests creating new shows every year may be too much.

"It's so intermittent. That's what for me makes it doable," Freeman told The Independent, "I don't know about [Benedict Cumberbatch], but certainly for me it would soon lose a lot of its appeal if we were schlepping that around for eight months of the year, every year. A bit of the sheen would have gone off it." The remarks appear to be at odds with Cumberbatch's suggestion that he wanted to play Sherlock as "an old man."

More: Benedict Cumberbatch plans to play Sherlock as an old man

Nevertheless, Freeman is appreciative of the interest in the show, which has essentially won him major roles in the form of The Hobbit and FX's Fargo. He also suggested that playing Watson is a welcome change of pace from Middle-earth.

Martin FreemanBenedict Cumberbatch [L] stars alongside Freeman [R] in Sherlock

"That's the question I was asked 40 times a day: 'Do you miss Bilbo?' No, I don't, because I'm not mentally ill. Well, I am, in many ways! But I'm not deluded. I don't think he's real, and I don't think I am him," he added.

Freeman is about to begin work on the war-comedy The Taliban Shuffle, about a journalist who recounts her wartime coverage in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Based on the memoir of Kim Barker, the movie co-stars The Wolf of Wall Street's Margot Robbie and comedy actress Tina Fey.

More: Sherlock cast reduced to tears after being told season 4 plot