Morris Chestnut is set to return to prime time in CBS’s new series Watson which has finally been given a premiere date and first look.
The medical drama will premiere January 26, 2025, following the AFC Championship game around 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT/7 p.m. PT, depending on the game’s end time. After its debut, Watson will settle into its regular Sunday night slot at 10 p.m. ET/PT starting February 16, 2025.
Inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Watson takes a fresh approach to the beloved character of Dr. John Watson, portrayed by Chestnut. The story is set six months after the death of Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty. This modern twist sees Watson shifting his attention from crime-solving to medical mysteries, resuming his career as the head of a clinic that specializes in treating rare and complex disorders. Despite this shift, Watson’s past isn’t far behind—Moriarty’s presence looms large, and the battle between them is far from over.
Joining Chestnut in the cast are Rochelle Aytes, Peter Mark Kendall, Eve Harlow, Inga Schlingmann, and Ritchie Coster. Aytes stars as Dr. Mary Morstan, a top-tier surgeon and Watson’s ex-wife, who balances her role as the hospital’s Medical Director with being a voice of reason for Watson. Kendall plays identical twin surgeons Stephens and Adam Croft, while Harlow portrays the aloof neurologist Ingrid Derian. Schlingmann takes on the role of rheumatology and immunology specialist Sasha Lubbock, and Coster plays Shinwell Johnson, a former criminal now working as the clinic’s administrative aide.
Watson is created by Craig Sweeny, known for his work on CBS’s Elementary, another Holmes-inspired series. While Watson and Elementary are separate projects, they share a creative lineage. Sweeny serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Chestnut, Sallie Patrick, Shäron Moalem MD, PhD, Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment, Brian Morewitz, and Larry Teng, who directs the first two episodes. The series is produced by CBS Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
The series adds to CBS’s diverse 2024-25 lineup, which includes other new shows like Matlock and the comedy Poppa’s House. Watson is set to begin production next week in Canada, contrasting with the network’s California-based productions such as S.W.A.T.
CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach expressed excitement for the project, praising Sweeny’s unique and innovative take on the legendary Dr. Watson character.