BBC’sSherlockwas utterly iconic and revolutionized the way stories about Sherlock Holmes are told, but it skipped over one fascinating story that the new CBS show is about to tackle. Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for his 1887 novelA Study in Scarletand went on to be a British institution and the ultimate fictional detective.Sherlockmodernized the story for the screen in 2010 and CBS’Elementarydid the same in 2012. Now, CBS is bringingWatsonto screens, which isElementary’sperfect spiritual sequel, and it may fill in some ofSherlock’sblanks.
Sherlockfeatured the inimitable Benedict Cumberbatch in its titular role, while British favorite Martin Freeman put in a legendary turn as Sherlock’s companion, Dr. John Watson. Not long after,Elementaryserved the world a female Watson in the form of Lucy Liu’s Dr. Joan Watson. But in 2025,CBS is bringing another Conan Doyle show to viewers, and this Watson will be played by Morris Chestnut.Watsonmay reveal how Sherlock Holmes dies, and in doing so, it may be able to finally tell a story that BBC’sSherlockshould have told long ago.
CBS' Watson Series Is All About What John Watson Does After Sherlock Fakes His Death
Morris Chestnut’s Watson Will Be Grieving Sherlock Holmes
Watsonwill start airing on June 17, 2025, and it will tell the story of what happens to John Watson after Sherlock Holmes dies, which is something thatSherlockdidn’t cover in detail.Watsonwill launch into its regular scheduleafter the first episode and will delight in bringing a whole new version of a modernized John to the table.Watson will be tackling his own detective storyin this series, which centers on Sherlock’s assistant. This unprecedented glimpse into the traditionally sidelined character promises to expose how Sherlock’s death impacted Watson, which the BBC drama should have touched on more.
CBS' Watson Show Begins Exactly Where BBC’s Sherlock Started Losing Its Magic
Watson Will Cover A Key Part Of Sherlock Holmes Myth
Watsonwill pick up where the high point ofSherlockleft off.Sherlockgot great reviews and a hugely positive audience reception in its first three seasons, but experienced some pitfalls from then on. The show tried to get funnier, which didn’t always work, with meta jokes that sometimes failed to make the most of the show’s legendary premise.Andrew Scott was unforgettable as MoriartyinSherlock. Perhaps too unforgettable, as the show was not the same without him from season 4 onwards.Watsonwill pick up the slack, beginning at this point in Conan Doyle’s lore.
Sherlock Season 4’s Best Scene Is A Sad Reminder Of Where The BBC Show Went Wrong
Sherlock season 4 was the show’s weakest, and one of its best moments proves where the BBC series went wrong following two great first seasons.
Telling the story of Sherlock Holmes' sidekick from what would be the start ofSherlockseason 4,Watsonhas already teased Moriarty’s presence, which is exciting.The new CBS show will take place during an absolutely classic Sherlock Holmes story, and one that the BBCSherlockshow adapted in season 3. Holmes faked his own death in the last episode ofSherlockseason 3, “The Reichenbach Fall,” but failed to really explain it or show the aftermath in season 4.Watsoncould do this while bringing Moriarty back in a more substantial way thanSherlockever managed to.
Watson
Cast
Watson follows Dr. John Watson a year after Sherlock Holmes' demise as he leads a clinic for rare disorders. Despite his return to medical practice, Watson is drawn back into the mysteries and challenges of his past, suggesting that his association with Holmes is far from over.
