Watson (TV series)

Last updated

Watson
Watson CBS Poster.jpg
Star Morris Chestnut in a promotional poster for the first season
Genre
Created by Craig Sweeny
Based onThe works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Starring
Music by Paul Leonard-Morgan
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
ProducerScott Graham
Production location Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Cinematography
  • Brook Willard
  • Shamus Whiting-Hewlett
  • James Liston
Editors
  • Jesse Ellis
  • Sondra Watanabe
  • Aric Lewis
  • Gerald Valdez
  • Erik Evans
  • Mark Manos
Production companies
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseJanuary 26, 2025 (2025-01-26) 
present

Watson is an American television series created by Craig Sweeny which premiered on CBS on January 26, 2025. The series, described as a "medical drama with detective elements", revolves around the character of Dr. John Watson from Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, with Morris Chestnut portraying the character. It is the second CBS series to adapt the Holmes stories, after Elementary . While the two programs are otherwise unrelated, their creative teams overlap. In March 2025, the series renewed for a second season which premiered on October 13, 2025.

Contents

Premise

One year after Sherlock Holmes's apparent death at the hands of his archenemy Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, Dr. John Watson resumes his medical practice by opening the "Holmes Clinic" in Pittsburgh to treat patients with strange and unidentifiable issues. Soon however, Watson must face his past when evidence surfaces indicating that Moriarty is still alive. [1]

Cast

The cast of Watson Watson cast.jpg
The cast of Watson

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 13January 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)May 11, 2025 (2025-05-11)
2 20 [17] October 13, 2025 (2025-10-13)TBA

Season 1 (2024–25)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot" Larry Teng Craig Sweeny January 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)9.58 [18]
At Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, detective Sherlock Holmes and master criminal James Moriarty fight before plunging into the water. [a] Holmes's friend Dr. John Watson jumps in after them, sustaining a traumatic brain injury in the process. Waking up in a Swiss hospital, Watson learns that he was the only survivor. He is informed by associate Shinwell Johnson that Holmes secretly funded a private clinic in his will so Watson could find a new purpose if he died. Months later, the Holmes Clinic for Diagnostic Medicine is operational at the University Hospital of Pittsburgh. Watson and his handpicked team take on a new patient at the request of his estranged wife, hospital administrator Mary Morstan. The patient, Erika Filipello, appears to be dying from fatal insomnia, but Watson discovers not only that she has a genetic deficiency of biotinidase, but also that her similarly ill cousin Autumn is actually the girl's half-sister. However, Autumn falls into septic shock and Watson cannot call in his usual surgeon because of bad weather. Mary, a former surgeon, agrees to operate, saving Autumn's life. Later, Watson retrieves his old case files at Mary's encouragement. Shinwell delivers a case of genetic samples to a still-alive Moriarty (Randall Park), who reminds him that he is watching "always and everywhere."
22"Redcoat"Larry TengCraig SweenyFebruary 16, 2025 (2025-02-16)4.32 [19]
Entrepreneur Andrew Tanner (Damian O'Hare) is left with a bullet lodged in his brain from an attempted murder. His case is further complicated when he claims to be the famous Scottish military officer Patrick Ferguson. Watson gives his team a lesson in the value of applying investigative techniques while deducing the cause of Tanner's condition. Stephens is able to glean from social media that he has symptoms consistent with Huntington's disease. Combined with Sasha's search of the crime scene and information from Watson's "Irregulars," the team realizes that Tanner is faking his insanity; having botched his "murder," the patient plans to commit suicide to preserve his family's life insurance. Watson then notices an additional symptom while foiling Tanner's suicide attempt and determines that he actually has Wilson's disease, which can be treated. To remove the bullet, Ingrid persuades former flame Isaac (Hampton Fluker), who blames her for ruining his career, to operate. Isaac declines a job offer from Mary and warns her not to trust Ingrid. Johnson is approached by Moriarty's agent (Kacey Rohl), who has him switch out Watson's medication with an identical set of pills.
33"Wait for the Punchline" Christine Moore Sallie Patrick February 23, 2025 (2025-02-23)4.69 [20]
Aspiring comedian Molly Jones (Djouliet Amara) collapses while performing and comes to the Holmes Clinic; there, she explains how previous doctors had diagnosed her with epilepsy, but John then collapses himself. He sustains a second traumatic brain injury and begins hallucinating visions of Sherlock and of Moriarty's fused fingers. Watson accepts Molly as a patient and has Stephens look into her family history. He learns that "Molly" is actually Linda Mancini, daughter of convicted murderer Felicia Mancini (Lisa Arrindell). A visit to Felicia gives Watson vital clues and he identifies Molly's condition as that of long QT syndrome, which can cause sudden death. This insight also convinces him that Felicia was wrongfully convicted of drowning Molly's siblings. His own condition soon worsens, however, and the team forces him to return home. A guilt-ridden Shinwell is told he can switch Watson's pills back, curing him of the hallucinations. Molly undergoes surgery to fix her heart and evidence supplied by Watson enables the DA to initiate proceedings for releasing Felicia from prison. Mary visits Watson and warns him that she can no longer hide his condition from the hospital board. Meanwhile, Ingrid tries to get her spinal research project off the ground and Adam attempts to reconnect with Stephens.
44"Patient Question Mark" Ron Underwood Teresa TuanMarch 2, 2025 (2025-03-02)4.04 [21]
During a team exercise to identify the clinic's next patient, Sasha diagnoses a rich lawyer (Michael Kostroff) with Cowden syndrome; while in surgery, the man dies on the table. Watson learns that, while attending medical school, Sasha worked on a cadaver that also had Cowden syndrome, which is both hereditary and difficult to detect, meaning others may be at risk. The cadaver is traced to an Amish community in Lancaster, where the team is informed that the deceased had a sister, Rachel Smith (Sprague Grayden), who was banished and now lives with her young son, Amos (Cruze McKinnon). When Amos starts having trouble breathing, Watson takes him in for treatment, but due to his TBI, cedes the operation to Ingrid. Sasha's efforts to have the Amish residents tested uncover more than a dozen cases of Cowden. Shinwell purchases a tracking device and plants it on the car of Moriarty's agent. He later retrieves it after seeing her with a sick young girl. Watson visits Mary at home and promises not to contest their divorce.
55"The Man with the Glowing Chest" Tara Nicole Weyr Shardé MillerMarch 9, 2025 (2025-03-09)4.84 [22]
Watson faces a serious dilemma while treating Taryn Quintyne (Brittany Adebumola), who suffers from a rare form of sickle cell anemia; Taryn can be cured, but the existing cure is prohibitively expensive and would render her infertile. With Shinwell's help, he recruits unscrupulous genetics researcher Hobie McSorley (Nat Faxon) to devise a non-FDA-approved treatment using her bone marrow to replace the diseased cells and administer it to Taryn in secret. Despite efforts to keep the rest of the team in the dark, Stephens alerts them after recognizing Hobie's distinct birthmark. After reflecting on Watson's intentions, they collectively agree not to report him. Taryn suffers from complications just as Mary obtains proof of Watson's ethical violations. When she confronts him, Watson defends his decision and reveals that Taryn has become pregnant due to an unexpected failure of her IUD. Mary discharges her from the hospital and destroys the evidence. Ingrid turns to Sasha for help getting her sister Gigi (Kiera Allen) into the spinal project after running up against a hostile administrator. Stephens learns that Adam, who is in recovery for drug addiction, relapsed without his knowledge several years prior.
66"The Camgirl Inquiry" Bille Woodruff Neal DusedauMarch 16, 2025 (2025-03-16)5.15 [23]
Stephens has a secret relationship with a camgirl named "Porsche" (Sofie Kane); when she collapses on a live feed, he asks the team for help. Thy spot various clues in the live feed of Porsche's apartment to try and find her address. Adam reaches out to his lawyer girlfriend Lauren (Amanda Crew), who also happens to be Stephens' ex. Porsche is ultimately found and brought to the hospital, but her health rapidly deteriorates from septic shock. Stephens recalls how Porsche once told him that she grew up on a rabbit farm in New Mexico; this reveals that her condition is undiagnosed bubonic plague from being bitten by an infected animal. As she recovers from the infection, she and Stephens amicably break up. Sasha buys a cake for Ingrid, who hates celebrating her birthday. Annoyed, Ingrid tells her off and questions why she should want to force happiness on others when she can't find it in her own life. That night, Sasha breaks up with her boyfriend upon realizing that he doesn't want to marry her.
77"Teeth Marks" Jennifer Lynch Charly Evon SimpsonMarch 23, 2025 (2025-03-23)5.12 [24]
Librarian Ginny Roberts (Caitlin Stasey) stumbles into the clinic with a condition that causes her memory to "reset" every three minutes, repeatedly insisting that something is "eating" her from the inside. Shinwell is forced to once again switch out Watson's pills; this causes Watson to hear the voice of Sherlock Holmes (Matt Berry) inside his head. A screening reveals a teratoma in Ginny's ovaries. During surgery to remove it, Watson speaks with Mary, who reveals that she was pregnant when he left to help Sherlock on his final case; she lost the baby and chose not to tell him after he came home injured. Watson realises his meds have been tampered with, and suspects Shinwell. Moriarty arranges a suicide to deflect blame from Shinwell, as he still has use for him. He also visits Ingrid in secret and gives her human bones, saying that, soon, they will find out "who she really is."
88"A Variant of Unknown Significance"Larry TengAnna MackeyMarch 30, 2025 (2025-03-30)5.28 [25]
Irene Adler (Whoopie Van Raam) seeks out the Holmes Clinic to treat her son Angus (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez), claiming that he is Sherlock's biological child. Watson divides the team into two groups: Sasha and Adam are tasked with diagnosing Angus while Stephens and Ingrid must determine whether Irene is trying to deceive them. Despite being warned by a mistrustful Shinwell, Watson finds himself growing close to Angus after noticing how the boy's wit and insights match those of Sherlock. He suspects that Angus may be suffering from a genetic flaw that is hereditary to male members of the Holmes family. To prove this, he has Shinwell meet with Holmes' brother Mycroft (Vincent Gale) at the Diogenes Club to obtain the only known sample of Sherlock's DNA. The team learns that Irene has previously dabbled in charity fraud and realizes that Angus is deliberately faking his condition. Irene steals the DNA sample and attempts to fly to Austria, but Watson and Shinwell intercept her. Watson explains how he knows Irene, suffering from multiple myeloma, only wanted to sell the sample and provide for her son. Irene then asks him to assume guardianship of Angus in the event of her death. To her surprise, however, Watson offers her the chance to participate in the clinical trial of a treatment that could save her life.
99"Take a Family History" Mario Van Peebles Teleplay by: Teresa Tuan & Craig Sweeny
Story by: Shäron Moalem & Craig Sweeny
April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13)4.97 [26]
In 2010, a teenage Ingrid (Amanda Arcuri) accompanies her father Ivo (Andy Bean) after Gigi (Beatrice Schneider) is brought in with a spinal injury from a fall. A high-risk surgery is needed to prevent her losing the use of her legs, but the surgeon, fearing a malpractice suit, refuses to authorize the procedure. A nurse (Kevin Vidal) puts Ingrid in touch with Mary, then a junior attending, and, when Ingrid explains that Gigi's injury was caused by the alcoholic Ivo's abuse, Mary arranges the surgery without permission. Upon being confronted by her boss (Martin Cummins), however, she reluctantly cancels the procedure and Gigi is left permanently disabled. In 2025, Ingrid is forced to have Gigi admitted to UHOP when she suffers complications from her spinal treatment. She attempts to solicit Watson and the team's help while keeping her sister's true identity a secret to avoid losing her job for conflict of interest. Watson deduces on his own that Gigi has a form of hypothermia, the result of a genetic mutation unknown to Ingrid that reacted with Gigi's treatment. For endangering a patient, Mary tells Ingrid that she will be fired and Watson makes it clear he will not oppose her decision. A flashback shows that, after promising to care for Gigi, Ingrid murdered her father with an overdose of fentanyl and buried the body.
1010"The Man with the Alien Hand"Clara AranovichTheo TraversApril 20, 2025 (2025-04-20)4.47 [27]
Shinwell is ordered to collect DNA samples from all four members of the team for unknown purposes. Watson takes on Cameron Phipps (David Thompson) as a new patient; Phipps suffers from alien hand syndrome and has become increasingly desperate for treatment. Attempts to paralyze the hand with injections of neurotoxin fail and Phipps seemingly commits manslaughter by pushing his brother Damian (Corey Sorenson) in front of a moving bus. Watson meets with Lestrade (Rachel Hayward), the detective handling the case, and persuades her not to charge Phipps. He also sends for a highly regarded neurosurgeon to deaden the nerves of Phipps' hand and reverse his condition. However, a chance meeting reveals to Watson that Phipps is a failed entrepreneur facing bankruptcy and, with Damian's death, is now slated to inherit his ailing father's fortune. Unable to have him arrested, the team instead confronts Phipps with the revelation that his father had numerous children out of wedlock, all of whom will be equally entitled to a share of the man's estate. Shinwell turns over a collection of fake samples to Moriarty's agent. Lestrade is impressed with Watson's handling of the case and gives him her card; as they walk out, a man who had unknowingly helped Phipps orchestrate the murder suddenly arrives and offers to testify against him in exchange for an opportunity to intern at the Holmes Clinic.
1111"The Dark Day Deduction"Sheelin ChokseyJason InmanApril 27, 2025 (2025-04-27)4.59 [28]
Watson confronts a traumatic event from his Army days that still weighs heavily on him after his friend's wife reaches out, begging for help when her husband is seemingly having a psychotic break; Shinwell is asked for one last favour by Moriarty.
1212"My Life's Work Part 1" Jeff W. Byrd Teleplay by: Adam Samuel Goldman & Heather Ross
Story by: Shäron Moalem & Adam Samuel Goldman & Heather Ross
May 4, 2025 (2025-05-04)4.85 [29]
Moriarty infects Adam with a synthetically modified virus specifically programmed to attack his genes. During a dinner, he displays mild memory loss. Watson reveals to the team his new DNA database accumulated via donations from patients. A disguised Moriarty arrives at the clinic, forcing Ingrid to sabotage research samples in Watson's lab and promising to help her discover her true self. Adam's symptoms increase in severity and Stephens, too, becomes infected. Their condition is discovered to be an augmented form of HSV-1 which proves resistant to treatment. Shinwell (himself ailing thanks to Moriarty) finally confesses to Watson his involvement with Moriarty and his agent, revealing the doctor's own research has been turned against him. Adam falls into a coma and Stephens admits his feelings to Sasha before he, too, loses consciousness. Watson comes up with an experimental adeno-associated virus, but finds all his test samples ineffective owing to Ingrid's earlier sabotage. He is able to scramble together enough of a vector to make a working cure, but reveals to the team that it will only be enough to save one of the twins.
1313"My Life's Work Part 2" Kristin Lehman Teleplay by: Craig Sweeny & Teresa Tuan
Story by: Shäron Moalem & Sallie Patrick
May 11, 2025 (2025-05-11)4.74 [30]
A coin toss results in Adam being given the antidote. With only a few days left to save Stephens, Shinwell approaches Moriarty's agent Hannah Burke, promising the clinic will treat her young daughter Ashleigh (Logan Mae)'s brain tumour in exchange for access to his lab. As Ashleigh experiences nightly seizures, her oncologist Laila Bynum (Tika Sumpter) joins the team to help. Eventually, Watson diagnoses Ashleigh with MCAD and prescribes a diet of cornstarch to help her gain enough weight to commence chemotherapy. Moriarty makes further attempts to corrupt Ingrid, but she infects him using the same viral strategy he used on the Crofts. Watson promises to cure him if he'll hand over the needed vector. Stephens is cured and starts dating Sasha, the Crofts reconcile, Shinwell receives treatment for his own infection, and Ingrid leaves the clinic, having lost the team's trust after she confessed to tainting the vectors. Watson feels Moriarty is too dangerous to be allowed to walk away, so deliberately neglects to complete the cure and watches him die of a stroke. Two weeks later, Watson is now dating Laila and remains shaken by the fact he has taken a life.

Season 2 (2025)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [31] Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [31] U.S. viewers
(millions)
141"A Son in the Oven" Larry Teng Teleplay by: Craig Sweeny
Story by: Shäron Moalem
October 13, 2025 (2025-10-13)2.53 [32]
While admitted for accidental self poisoning, Mary's mother, Elizabeth (Juanita Jennings), starts suffering rapid memory loss. Her ailment, found to be caused by an undiagnosed cirrhosis, makes her develop a urinary tract infection. Watson is unwilling to allow Mary to donate her liver due to the high risks. Watson discovers that Elizabeth gave birth to a son named Miles, whom she gave to another family. Mary meets her older brother (Khary Payton), who is reluctant to donate his liver to the mother he doesn't know. However, he changes his mind after recognising her as a regular customer who had talked him out of quitting his business during a rough patch. After the successful operation, Miles introduces Mary and Elizabeth to his wife and kids. Meanwhile, Ingrid started group therapy at UHOP to deal with her antisocial personality disorder, and had an awkward reunion with the fellows. After coaxing from Shinwill to forgive Ingrid, the team recommends Watson rehire her. At Watson's apartment, he overhears an intruder, who is revealed to be Sherlock Holmes (Robert Carlyle).
152"Back from the Dead" Tara Nicole Weyr Michael NarducciOctober 20, 2025 (2025-10-20)2.37 [33]
While catching up with Holmes, Watson recounts the previous day's events. A microbiology team led by Amelia Woodward (Kerry O'Malley) believe themselves to have contracted an ancient and potentially catastrophic pathogen while in the arctic, with one of dying from cardiac arrest. An expedition journal reveals the "virus" is actually typhoid fever brought about by baking soda being placed in the group's shared meals. Expedition member Nate Hermannson (Max Montesi) simulated the virus to create publicity and raise awareness for the melting permafrost and its possible future pathogenic problems. Holmes confesses he did not go over the Reichenbach Falls, instead tricking another foe Stapleton to fight Moriarty in his place. Holmes then took the plunge himself to save Watson after he leapt in. Watson rehires Ingrid, and Sasha meets her long-lost birth uncle Jun (Tzi Ma) in person for the first time. When questioned on his motives for resurfacing, Holmes refers to "the Pittsburgh mystery" and teases a "third act surprise".
163"Expletive Deleted"Larry TengElizabeth JB KlaviterOctober 27, 2025 (2025-10-27)2.30 [34]
Max Bowers (Ava Anton) is 30 years old, but looks to be only 10. She is admitted for a fractured arm, requiring swift surgery. At group therapy Ingrid vents about her conflicted feelings of returning to the clinic, and meets fellow patient Beck Whyte (Noah Mills) before heading back to work. During the operation, Mary discovers lymph nodes on Max's arm, and Laila is brought in to consult. An exhausted Max is aware of her prognosis, and simply wants to die. Ingrid and Sasha uncover evidence of fever, indicating Max doesn't have cancer, but she checks out before she can be given the news. A conclusion of lupus is reached, and Max is caught by cops having stolen a car. She starts having difficulty breathing, and is convinced by Watson to return to the hospital where she responds well to treatment. She is later introduced to Pauline Bautiste (Berkeley James), a 41 year old woman with a similar condition, and overjoyed to find out she is no longer alone. Meanwhile, Sasha somewhat reconciles with Ingrid, who also diagnoses Stephens as having depression. On the way out, she is approached by Beck and rebuffs his suspicious attempts at socialising. Watson discovers an online newspaper called "the Mystery", seemingly referring to what Holmes mentioned previously.
174"Happy When It Rains"Sheelin ChokseyCharly Evon SimpsonNovember 3, 2025 (2025-11-03)2.42 [35]
In the aftermath of a tornado hitting the city, Shinwell, now a nurse in training, notices four patients turning up with similar oozing rashes on their bodies. He brings it to the team, who believe it to be a flesh eating bacteria. Instead, they are found to be fungal spores brought about by debris from the storm, but it is discovered too late to prevent one of the patients (Seyi Balogum) from getting his leg amputated. Another patient (Anja Savcic) starts worsening, with her condition discovered to be a sexually transmitted fungal infection amplified by flea bites. Meanwhile, Shinwell forms a rapport with his supervisor Nurse Carlin DaCosta (Margot Bingham) and struggles to adapt to the emotional toll of his new job. Adam is anxious about his impending marriage to Lauren, exacerbated by her announcing that she is pregnant.
185"Lucky" Guy Ferland Teleplay by: Craig Sweeny
Story by: Craig Sweeny & Teresa Tuan
November 10, 2025 (2025-11-10)2.62 [36]
Controversies are reported at Diogenes Technology, a biotech company owned by Mycroft Holmes. Sherlock reveals to Watson that upon his "death", he deliberately bequeathed flawed chemical formulas to his brother, which now threaten to bankrupt Diogenes and other Big Pharma companies. While at Van Kirk Memorial Hospital, the team come a patient named Lucky (Michael Bean) with locked in syndrome. Since 2020, travel nurse Haven Henry (Rebecca Field) has been killing patients by injecting them with insulin to induce hypoglycemia. Lucky has witnessed this, and eventually is able to identify her after she attacks him. The nurse flees to Hanoi, but Holmes calls in a fake bomb threat to ground the plane she is on, allowing US authorities to arrest her. At therapy, Ingrid clashes with Beck. She tries to get her mentor Ethan Schiff (Dean Paul Gibson) to arrange a BCI to help Lucky better communicate, but he has been let go from his company, and is unable to help. He is eventually rehired and able to proceed with a trial run, with Adam reaching out to help Ethan with his alcoholism. Beck reveals he was responsible for Ethan's rehiring, and Ingrid tentatively asks for his contact details. Det. Lestrade, the investigating officer on the case, befriends Lucky. Mycroft arrives with unwelcome news for the clinic's future.
196"Buying Time"Clara AranovichAnna MackeyNovember 17, 2025 (2025-11-17)2.65 [37]
Following the previous episode, the clinic's funding is being cut as a result of Mycroft's business restructurings. 23 year old athlete Casey Zink (Chris Gray) is diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the same time that the wealthy and longevity-obsessed Joseph Bell (Johnno Wilson) makes an offer for Watson to join his anti-aging genetics company AAG. Watson reluctantly accepts Bell's offer on a trial basis in exchange for him paying for Casey's treatment. Casey is operated on while Bell makes Watson and Adam participate in promotional content for AAG. Casey's cancer cells start duplicating, which Stephens and Sasha discover to be due to genetic tinkering. Casey previously underwent a genetic study from the mysterious Primal BioTech, discovered to be a shell company owned by Bell. While visiting Bell, Adam and Shinwell steal some Primal samples, reworking it to kill Casey's tumour. Bell is revealed to have given himself the same treatment as Casey, unaware of the cancerous side effects, and is now sick himself. Casey makes a full recovery, while Bell dies. Stephens confides in Ingrid that he believes his deceased father died from suicide, and is thus reluctant to confirm his possible depression. Instead, he spends some time with an elderly patient (Cindy Piper). Mycroft reveals he is aware of Sherlock's survival, and demands that in exchange for leaving the clinic be, Watson give up his whereabouts.
207"Giant Steps"Amanda RowTeresa TuanNovember 24, 2025 (2025-11-24)2.32 [38]
Watson's father Hamish (Clarke Peters) is a respected jazz musician, whose longtime protégé Annabelle Lee (Piper Curda) has been experiencing light headedness numbness and blackouts for some months. After she nearly collapses following a gig, she's brought to the clinic, where Hamish has an awkward reunion with his son. Despite a scheduled meeting with a record label, John admits her for tests against Hamish's protestations. Annabelle is diagnosed with moyamoya disease, in which her brain's arteries have narrowed, resulting in reduced blood flow; her blackouts have been triggered by the high amounts of air she has been using in her saxophone playing. She proves reluctant to undergo surgery due to fears it could affect her playing. She collapses from a stroke, but is successfully treated. Despite his initial misgivings about her potential loss of talent, a shaken Hamish persuades her to have the operation. Two months on, Annabelle makes good progress, and the Watsons reconcile. Meanwhile, Sasha has continued to connect with Jun, despite Ingrid's doubts of his legitimacy. After receiving a photograph of her birth mother from him, she eventually deduces that he is not in fact her uncle, although he claims he can tell Sasha where to find her mother.
218"Livvy Sees the Doctor" [39] Larry TengMichael Narducci & Charly Evon SimpsonDecember 1, 2025 (2025-12-01)TBD
229"Shannon Says Bex Loves Micah" [40] Jennifer Lynch Sharde Miller & Jason InmanDecember 8, 2025 (2025-12-08)TBD
2310"Never Been CRISPR'd" [41] Anton Cropper Adam Samuel Goldman & Heather Ross December 15, 2025 (2025-12-15)TBD

Production

Watson was announced in October 2022, to be created, written and produced by Craig Sweeny who had previously worked on Elementary . [1] The show was given a straight to series order, bypassing the pilot stage. [42]

By January 2024, Morris Chestnut was attached to executive produce and star as the title character. [43] Executive producer Larry Teng directed the first two episodes. [44] [45] In May 2024, Peter Mark Kendall and Ritchie Coster were announced as the first core cast additions. [46] In June 2025, Rochelle Aytes was cast as Mary Morstan, [47] followed by Eve Harlow and Inga Schlingmann. [48] By July 2025, Robert Carlyle was cast in a recurring role as Sherlock Holmes. [6] He is set to appear in roughly eight episodes. [49]

Watson began shooting in Vancouver in June 2024, [50] with filming locations including The Bridge Studios and the University of British Columbia campus. [51] The shoot concluded on November 22, 2024. [52] The show is set in Pittsburgh, where some exterior scenes were shot. [53] [54] [45] [55] The series is scored by Paul Leonard-Morgan. [56]

On March 26, 2025, CBS renewed the series for a second season, [57] which was originally set to premiere in January 2026, but was moved up to October 13, 2025 due to CIA being delayed. [58] Unlike the first season, no location shooting took place in Pittsburgh. [59] Filming for the second season began on June 24, 2025 and is scheduled to conclude on March 9, 2026. [60] Leonard-Morgan has revealed that the season will consist of 20 episodes. [17]

Release

The first episode had its worldwide premiere at MIPCOM Cannes on October 20, 2024. [61] The series premiered on January 26, 2025, on CBS after the AFC Championship Game, [62] and is streaming on Paramount+. [63] The second season premiered on October 13, 2025. [58] In Australia, the series airs on Network 10 and is streaming on Paramount+. [64] In Canada, the series airs on Global and is streaming on StackTV. [65]

In Germany & Austria, the series is scheduled to air on Sky One from November 9, 2025. [66]

In United Kingdom Watson Season 1 is to premiere on Sky Witness on 24th November 2025

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 50% approval rating based on 18 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Transplanting Sherlock Holmes lore into a medical procedural, Watson's conceit proves an awkward fit but gets a boost from the ever-watchable Morris Chestnut." [67] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 54 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [68]

Ratings

Season 1

Viewership and ratings per episode of Watson
No.TitleAir date Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
Ref.
1"Pilot"January 26, 20251.6/219.580.11.301.710.88 [18]
2"Red Coat"February 16, 20250.3/34.320.11.970.46.28 [19]
3"Wait for the Punchline"February 23, 20250.3/44.690.11.690.46.38 [20]
4"Patient Question Mark"March 2, 20250.2/24.040.11.690.35.74 [21]
5"The Man With The Glowing Chest"March 9, 20250.3/44.840.11.470.46.32 [22]
6"The Camgirl Inquiry"March 16, 20250.3/45.150.11.630.46.77 [23]
7"Teeth Marks"March 23, 20250.3/45.120.11.500.46.61 [24]
8"A Variant of Unknown Significance"March 30, 20250.3/55.28 [25]
9"Take a Family History"April 13, 20250.3/54.97 [26]
10"The Man with the Alien Hand"April 20, 20250.2/34.47 [27]
11"The Dark Day Deduction"April 27, 20250.2/44.59 [28]
12"My Life's Work Part 1"May 4, 20250.3/34.85 [29]
13"My Life's Work Part 2"May 11, 20250.2/34.74 [30]

Season 2

Viewership and ratings per episode of Watson
No.TitleAir date Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
Ref.
1"A Son in the Oven"October 13, 20250.2/22.530.11.480.34.01 [32]
2"Back from the Dead"October 20, 20250.2/22.370.11.380.33.75 [33]
3"Expletive Deleted"October 27, 20250.1/12.300.11.330.23.73 [34]
4"Happy When It Rains"November 3, 20250.1/22.420.11.280.23.70 [35]
5"Lucky"November 10, 20250.1/22.620.11.390.24.01 [36]
6"Buying Time"November 17, 20250.2/22.65TBDTBDTBDTBD [37]
7"Giant Steps"November 24, 20250.1/22.32TBDTBDTBDTBD [38]

Notes

  1. This fight is depicted in the short story "The Final Problem."

References

  1. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (October 3, 2022). "Dr. Watson Drama Series In Works At CBS From Craig Sweeny & Kapital Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
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