Sherlock Holmes’s iconic partner gets his own spotlight in ‘Watson’
Sherlock Holmes’s iconic partner gets his own spotlight in ‘Watson’
Morris Chestnut as the legendary Dr. John Watson will solve complex medical mysteries in the new series.
Elementary, it is not. The new series, “Watson,” makes its debut on Sunday, Jan. 26, right after the AFC Championship Game, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Morris Chestnut stars as the legendary Dr. John Watson, no longer just a sidekick but a leading man in his own right after the death of his friend, Sherlock Holmes. Now running the Holmes Clinic in Pittsburgh, Watson takes on rare and mysterious medical cases that push him and his team to their intellectual limits. Blending medical drama with detective intrigue, this fresh take on one of the most famous characters in literature promises brains, heart, and plenty of suspense. Here’s everything you need to know about “Watson.”
Everything you need to know about ‘Watson’:
What is ‘Watson’ about?
“Watson” is a fresh take on the legendary Dr. John Watson, played by Morris Chestnut, as he starts over in Pittsburgh one year after the death of Sherlock Holmes at the hands of his nemesis, Moriarty. Leaving London, Watson opens the Holmes Clinic, a unique medical center where he tackles the toughest cases no one else can figure out. These aren’t your everyday illnesses - each patient’s condition is rare, puzzling, and often deadly, pushing Watson to use his sharp mind and problem-solving skills to uncover what’s really going on.
The show follows a classic procedural style, with a new case to solve every week. At the same time, it dives into Watson’s personal journey as he steps out of the shadow of his late friend, Holmes, to forge his own path. While the loss of Holmes still lingers, Watson’s brilliance and determination are front and center, giving a new perspective on a character we thought we already knew. Still, Watson’s story with Moriarty isn’t over… and the two will are very likely to find each other again over the run of the first season.
From the trailer, it looks like “Watson” blends the intensity of medical drama with the twists and turns of a detective story. Fans of “House” or “Elementary” will feel right at home with its mix of clever cases, emotional moments, and a dash of mystery. Whether you’re here for the complex puzzles or Watson’s journey of reinvention, this show should keep you hooked.
Watson
A year after the death of his friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty, Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. However, he soon finds that his old life is not done with him yet.
What time will episodes of ‘Watson’ air?
“Watson” is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 26 right after the AFC Championship Game. The start time should be around 10 p.m. ET, but that obviously depends on how long the game goes. After the premiere, “Watson” will settle into a regular Sunday timeslot at 9 p.m. ET starting Sunday, Feb. 16.
If you want to watch on Paramount+, you can stream each episode live as it airs on CBS for subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. Or, you can stream it on-demand the next day with any Paramount+ plan.
Here’s the release schedule for the 13-episode series:
| Release Date | Episode Number |
|---|---|
| Sunday, Jan. 26 | 1 (Premiere) |
| Sunday, Feb. 16 | 2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 23 | 3 |
| Sunday, Mar. 2 | 4 |
| Sunday, Mar. 9 | 5 |
| Sunday, Mar. 16 | 6 |
| Sunday, Mar. 23 | 7 |
| Sunday, Mar. 30 | 8 |
| Sunday, Apr. 6 | 9 |
| Sunday, Apr. 13 | 10 |
| Sunday, Apr. 20 | 11 |
| Sunday, Apr. 27 | 12 |
| Sunday, May 4 | 13 (Finale) |
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
Who are the main characters of ‘Watson’?
-
Dr. John Watson – Morris Chestnut stars as Dr. John Watson, a former detective and now the head of the Holmes Clinic in Pittsburgh. Watson combines his medical expertise with his sharp deductive skills to tackle rare and complex medical cases, bringing his calm but commanding presence to every patient.
-
Dr. Mary Morstan – Rochelle Aytes plays Dr. Mary Morstan, Watson’s ex-wife and the clinic’s medical director. As a skilled surgeon, she provides stability and leadership, while her interesting relationship with Watson adds depth (and conflict) to their shared mission at the clinic.
-
Dr. Sasha Lubbock – Inga Schlingmann takes on the role of Dr. Sasha Lubbock, a charismatic rheumatology and immunology specialist. Her ambitious and compassionate approach is shaped by her multicultural upbringing as a first-generation American with roots in central China.
-
Shinwell Johnson – Ritchie Coster plays Shinwell Johnson, who, in the Sherlock Holmes universe, is a former criminal from London and a longtime acquaintance of Watson.
-
Dr. Stephens Croft and Dr. Adam Croft – Peter Mark Kendall plays identical twins with what will likely be opposing personalities.
-
Dr. Ingrid Derian – Eve Harlow plays Dr. Ingrid Derian, a brilliant but mysterious neurologist recruited by Dr. Watson to join the Holmes Clinic. While Watson admires her sharp intellect and unconventional methods - qualities that remind him of his late friend, Sherlock Holmes - the rest of the team is less certain.
Who is the creator of ‘Watson’?
Craig Sweeny is the creator of “Watson” and has a proven track record of working on hit TV shows that blend drama, intrigue, and sharp storytelling. He has written for series like “The 4400,” a sci-fi drama following the mysterious return of 4,400 people who were abducted by aliens and suddenly reappear on Earth without aging or remembering where they’ve been. He also contributed to “Medium,” a supernatural drama about a woman who uses her psychic abilities to help solve crimes.
Most importantly, Sweeny was a key writer and producer on the modern twist to Sherlock Holmes starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu that ran for seven seasons: “Elementary,” which reimagines Holmes and Watson solving crimes in contemporary New York City. He also created “Limitless,” a thriller about a man who gains extraordinary mental abilities from a mysterious drug, and “The Code,” a legal drama following the lives of military lawyers tackling high-stakes cases.
Here’s how to watch some of the other shows Craig Sweeny has worked on:
-
The 4400
July 11, 20044400 centers on the return of 4400 people who, previously presumed dead or reported missing, reappear on Earth. Though they have not aged physically, some of them seem to have deeper alterations ranging from superhuman strength to an unexplained healing touch. A government agency is formed to track the 4400 people after one of them commits a murder.
-
Medium
January 3, 2005Allison Dubois works in the District Attorney’s office using her natural intuition about people and her ability to communicate with the dead to help to solve crimes. Her dreams often give her clues to the whereabouts of missing people.
-
Elementary
September 27, 2012A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD’s most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.
-
Limitless
September 22, 2015Brian Finch’s life takes an extraordinary turn when he uses NZT-48, a neuroenhancing drug whose mystery and chaos lead him to working for the FBI and a senator who is not what he seems.
-
The Code
April 9, 2019The military’s brightest minds tackle the country’s toughest legal challenges at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, where every attorney is trained as a prosecutor, a defense lawyer, an investigator, and a Marine. Working side-by-side, they serve their country with integrity while often putting aside ideals for the sake of the truth.
