CBS is switching things up for fall — and that means Watson is coming back sooner than expected.
The second season of Watson, starring Morris Chestnut, will now premiere on Monday, October 13 at 10 PM ET/PT, following FBI. Originally set as a midseason return, the network bumped the medical-crime drama into its fall primetime slot after delaying new series CIA, an FBI spinoff, to 2026.
Chestnut returns as Dr. Watson, a former Army surgeon navigating high-profile medical cases after the death of Sherlock Holmes. The show made waves during its midseason debut earlier this year and now lands a high-stakes Monday night slot to build on that momentum.
Meanwhile, Boston Blue, a new cop drama starring Donnie Wahlberg and Sonequa Martin-Green, will debut on Friday, October 17 at 10 PM, rounding out CBS’ all-Jerry Bruckheimer block alongside Fire Country and Sheriff Country. The series explores crime and community in modern-day Boston and brings a new layer to CBS’s Friday procedural power lineup.
What Happened to CIA?
CBS’s decision to push CIA — which had been greenlit straight-to-series — is tied to delays behind the scenes. Production hasn’t begun and casting beyond star Tom Ellis is still in progress. The show is also undergoing a creative pivot: Law & Order: SVU alum Warren Leight has taken over showrunning duties from FBI: Most Wanted’s David Hudgins.
A Look at CBS’ Fall 2025 Schedule
CBS will kick off its fall rollout starting in late September, with most scripted shows debuting after the NFL season begins. Here’s what you need to know:
Sunday, October 12
- 8:30 PM: Matlock (Season 2 sneak peek)
- 9:30 PM: Elsbeth (Season 3 sneak peek)
Monday, October 13
- 8 PM: The Neighborhood (Final Season)
- 8:30 PM: DMV (New Comedy)
- 9 PM: FBI (Season 8)
- 10 PM: Watson (Season 2)
Tuesday, October 14 – NCIS Takeover
- 8 PM: NCIS (Season 23)
- 9 PM: NCIS: Origins (Season 2)
- 10 PM: NCIS: Sydney (Season 3)
Thursday, October 16
- 8 PM: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
- 8:30 PM: Ghosts (Season 5)
- 9 PM: Matlock (New Night)
- 10 PM: Elsbeth (New Night)
Friday, October 17
- 8 PM: Fire Country (Season 4 premiere, special time)
- 9 PM: Sheriff Country (New series, special time)
- 10 PM: Boston Blue (Series Premiere)
On Friday, October 24, the full night settles into regular slots with Sheriff Country at 8 PM, Fire Country at 9 PM, and Boston Blue continuing at 10 PM.
What’s Still to Come
Several CBS series are being saved for midseason, including:
- CIA (FBI spinoff starring Tom Ellis)
- Hollywood Squares
- Y: Marshals (working title)
- Harland Coben’s Final Twist
- America’s Culinary Cup