WhenWatsonpremiered, the CBS series made it clear it wasn’t going to bejust another Sherlock Holmes reboot. Set six months after Holmes' apparent death, the show introduced a new chapter for Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut), a brilliant doctor running the Holmes Clinic, focused on treating patients with strange, hard-to-diagnose conditions. Watson believes both Holmes and their nemesis Moriarty (Randall Park) died at Reichenbach Falls, but Season 1 soon reveals that Moriarty survived and has been secretly manipulating events to torment him. Though Sherlock is presumed dead, his presence lingers throughout the season in the form of hallucinations voiced byMatt Berry, and the mystery surrounding his fatecasts a long shadow over Watson’s every move.
Now, with the announcement thatRobert Carlylewill appear as Sherlock Holmes in a recurring role for Season 2 — especiallygiven how Season 1 ended— the series is making its boldest narrative choice yet,and it’s the right one. According to the official Season 2 description, “With his eyes fixed on the future, Watson faces an unexpected twist when Sherlock Holmes, who was presumed dead, resurfaces, forcing him to confront a buried secret from his past — one that lies hidden within his own body.” While this suggests Holmes may still be alive, whether he returns in the flesh or through flashbacks,putting a face to the legendopens the door to richer, more emotionally resonant storytelling,especially for the star of the show, Dr. Watson.
Making Sherlock Holmes an Actual Character Will Strengthen Watson’s Story
Season 1 ofWatsonended with a bold and controversial decision: Dr. John Watson administered a fatal dose to Moriarty. As a doctor sworn to do no harm, it marked a seismic shift in his moral compass. Butafter everything Moriarty had done, including the devastation he caused to Watson’s team and being the reason Watson believed Sherlock Holmes was dead, Watson saw the act as a necessary evil. Letting Moriarty live, in his eyes, would have caused even more harm.That moment fundamentally changed who Watson was, setting the stage for theemotional and ethical reckoningto come.
Inan interview with Colliderback in May, showrunnerCraig Sweenywas asked if Sherlock was truly dead. “I don’t think we’ve told any lies about Sherlock’s current circumstances,” he said. “Now that we’ve established Watson firmly as the lead of his own show, it would be a tragedy never to see the face of Sherlock Holmes.” Paired with the casting of Robert Carlyle,it strongly suggests Holmes is actually alive, though that may not have been the original plan. Still, it’s the right creative move. Carlyle’s casting allows the show to explore Sherlock and Watson’s bond more directly, offering a chance to reflect on how Holmes shaped Watson’s past and how his reappearancecould challenge him in the present.
That Major Twist in ‘Watson’s Premiere Just Changed Everything About the Show
The new CBS series picks up six months after the death of Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock’s return also raises the emotional and moral stakes. Watson is already grappling with guilt over what he did to Moriarty, but the realization that Holmes is alive could deepen that remorse. Season 1only scratched the surfaceof Watson’s grief and trauma, and Season 2 has the opportunity to confront it head-on. That internal conflict offers a compelling arc, as Watson is forced to reevaluate who he’s become in the wake of Sherlock’s supposed death and Moriarty’s actual one. The complexity of those feelingswill give Morris Chestnut even more emotional stories to tell, cementing why this show remains Watson’s, even with Holmes back in the picture.
Crucially, Robert Carlyle is joiningWatsonin a recurring role, and that’s the right move.Watson should stay firmly at the center of his own story, but Sherlock’s presence, whether in flashbacks, or present-day scenes, can add to Watson’s character development. His return also opens the door for other characters,including Randall Park’s Moriarty, whose death was confirmed by Sweeny, but not necessarily made final. Flashbacks could allow both Holmes and Moriarty to play pivotal roles in Season 2, expanding the show’s mythology whilekeeping the emotional focus on Watson. In that way, the series continues to honor its foundations in mystery and medicine while evolving into something even more character-driven and emotionally rich.
There’s no question Robert Carlyle is an inspired casting choice. With iconic roles inTrainspotting,The Full Monty, andOnce Upon a Time, he brings the kind of gravitas and complexity that fits perfectly with a character like Sherlock Holmes. But it’s essential that his screen time remains carefully balanced.Watsonworks because Morris Chestnut has once again proven thathe can anchor a serieswith emotional depth and charisma, all while redefining one of literature’s most iconic characters.Sherlock should enhance that journey, not eclipse it.
When the show premiered,Craig Sweeny toldDeadline, “If you have Watson front and center, to allow that character to shine, you definitely don’t want him competing with the most famous character in all literature.” That instinct has paid off.Too often in Holmes adaptations, Watson is reduced to the role of supporting player. ButWatsonflipped that dynamic from the start, leaning into its medical procedural format while centering on Watson’s grief and emotional recovery.
In a way,not showing Sherlock could become more of a distraction. Viewers were always going to wonder whether he was really dead or if the show would eventually bring him back. Now, with the story having evolved organically and Morris Chestnut delivering a commanding performance in Season 1, introducing Sherlock only sharpens the vision ofWatson. With Season 2premiering this fall, it’s still unclear how soon Holmes will appear, but with talents like Chestnut and Robert Carlyle, their reunion is sure to be worth the wait.
