Morris Chestnut to Star as Dr. Watson in New CBS Medical Drama
Morris Chestnut
CBS is bringing a fresh take on Sherlock Holmes lore to the small screen. The network has ordered a new drama called Watson from creator (and former Elementary writer) Craig Sweeney and starring Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, the famous partner and biographer of the iconic detective.
“We are thrilled to feature such a beloved character from the world of Sherlock Holmes at the center of this series and have it brought to life by Morris Chestnut in a fresh and unexpected take on the immortal doctor,” said Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment. “Craig Sweeney’s bold new vision for the complex Dr. Watson deftly interweaves rich character storytelling with edge-of-your-seat medical mysteries.”
For those unfamiliar, Morris Chestnut is an acclaimed film and television actor known for projects like Boyz n the Hood, The Best Man franchise, The Resident and Our Kind of People. He often plays doctors and authority figures, so he's perfectly cast as the wise and gifted Dr. Watson.
Read on for more about the series, its plot and the cast.
Related: The Best TV Doctors of All Time
What is the new CBS show Watson about?
Watson takes place in a universe where Holmes has been killed off by his nemesis Moriarty, something Sherlock author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reportedly intended to do with The Final Problem. Watson has resumed his medical career as head of a clinic treating rare diseases. But Holmes' shadow still looms, as Watson and Moriarty have more story left to tell.
According to CBS, the show features "a modern version of one of history's greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries." So while Holmes may be gone, his deductive spirit carries on through Watson's medical sleuthing.
What is the release date for the new CBS show Watson?
Watson is slated to premiere during the 2024-2025 TV season on CBS. So Watson and Moriarty won't grace our screens until fall 2024. But that gives fans plenty of time to rewatch the Sherlock Holmes movies and catch up on old favorites like Elementary.
Who is cast in the new CBS show Watson?
As of now, powerhouse actor Morris Chestnut of Boyz n the Hood fame is the only cast member announced. Chestnut will pull double duty as the lead actor and an executive producer.
Given Chestnut's talent and charisma, he's more than capable of carrying the show as its anchoring star. But we can't wait to hear who will play Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade and the other classic characters that get folded into Watson's new world.
Related: The Top 10 Most Memorable Onscreen Sherlocks
Is Watson connected to Elementary?
Watson has some strong creative DNA linking it to CBS's beloved Holmes rendition Elementary, which ran from 2012–2019. Elementary writer Craig Sweeney will serve as showrunner and executive producer on Watson. And director Larry Teng, who helmed episodes of Elementary, will direct the Watson pilot.
So while Watson isn't billed as a direct spinoff, fans of Elementary can probably expect a similar vibe. And who knows—maybe Lucy Liu will guest star as elementary school teacher Joan Watson!
How to watch Watson
When Watson debuts as part of the 2024-2025 season lineup, viewers can watch new episodes as they air on CBS. If you're a cord-cutter without access to CBS, the show will also stream on Paramount+, the network's official streaming platform.
