Benedict Cumberbatch believes that he didn't have much sex appeal until he took on the role of Sherlock on the BBC hit series. Is he right?

The long-awaited fourth season of 'Sherlock" has collected rumors and speculations as the airdate creeps closer and closer. Hinted to be a breathtakingly dark season, the 90 minute mini-series will reunite Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson with its doting audience.

Entertainment Weekly inquired about the 'dark' mood that will reign during the upcoming season, and the series' co-creator Steven Moffat said, "It will be challenging place to go. 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, We're going to try to take it somewhere we've never been before -- and I don't mean outer space."

Cumberbatch, who portrays the title character on the BBC TV series, has remained remarkably quiet about what fans can expect during the upcoming season, but he has speculated that the role has escalated his sex appeal in the eyes of audiences, who now view him as an unabated sex symbol.

"I was never seen as sexy by anyone until 'Sherlock' came along and so I understand (being seen as a sex symbol) more as a reflection and appreciation of the work, rather than my own natural magnetism," Cumberbatch told Britain's OK! Magazine, according to Economic Times.

"I certainly remember when I was an adolescent and despairing why girls weren't interested in me. I've always maintained that 'Sherlock' is sexy and people are merely projecting his cold, brilliant, charming, flawed self onto me. He's an extraordinary man whose appeal lies in being so very different and difficult and someone whom people find strikingly attractive and compelling. He's the ultimate outsider hero."

According to reports, his claim raises the important question: Did Cumberbatch make Sherlock more attractive, or did Sherlock make more Cumberbatch attractive? Certainly, fans knew very little of Cumberbatch before he took on the legendary role of "Sherlock," and the character's persuasive diction helped to make Cumberbatch, who is a new husband and father, a man worth fawning over. However, the accomplished 39-year-old has had long history of incredible performances, which didn't earn him fame, but praise. It also made him far more attractive to casting directors who were eager to cast an actor to take on layered roles, which require depth and emotional range.

Whatever the answer, "Sherlock" fans are happy to have Cumberbatch, who done an exceptional job conveying Sherlock's brilliance and charm.

"Sherlock" Season 4 will return in 2017.