Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut) is back on the case, even without Sherlock Holmes by his side.
CBS’ Watson has revived the famous detective’s assistant as a doctor in present-day Pittsburgh, where he’s now the head of the Holmes Clinic of Diagnostic Medicine for rare disorders. The literary character and his team combine their talents to investigate the root causes of patients’ dilemmas, with each episode mixing medical and mystery.
“We saw some of the cases inside the hospital, but we go outside the hospital to gather information as detectives,” series star Morris Chestnut told TV Guide in January 2025. “So we’re doctors inside the hospital, we’re detectives outside the hospital — we’re doc-detectives.”
In the two-part finale (which aired over two weeks, on May 4 and May 11), Watson finally met his mysterious nemesis, James Moriarty (Randall Park), the man responsible for Sherlock’s presumed death.
Speaking to TV Insider in May 2025, Watson executive producer Craig Sweeny — who previously worked on another Sherlock Holmes show, Elementary — teased the “intense” season 1 finale.
“By the end, every member of Watson’s team is permanently changed,” he said. “And not all the doctors make it to Season 2 as part of the group.”
So what’s ahead for Dr. Watson and the Holmes Clinic? Here’s everything to know about season 2 of Watson.
Will there be a season 2 of Watson?
Yes, Watson has been renewed for a second season.
The medical drama joins other returning CBS series, including Ghosts, Elsbeth, Matlock, Tracker, Fire Country, FBI, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Survivor and The Amazing Race.
When will Watson season 2 premiere?
As of right now, there is no release date for Watson season 2.
On May 7, CBS released its 2025-2026 primetime schedule, and although Watson was missing from the fall lineup, the network confirmed the series will air on Sundays at 10 p.m. next year.
The detective show’s sophomore season will follow the new Yellowstone spinoff, Y: Marshals. Previously, the first season of Watson debuted on Jan. 26, 2025, and concluded on May 11.
Who will be in the Watson season 2 cast?
It has not been confirmed which cast members are returning for season 2, but it wouldn’t be Watson without Chestnut.
In addition to Chestnut, the first season starred Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Inga Schlingmann, Ritchie Coster, Rochelle Aytes, Riley Orr and Randall Park.
“I’m known for playing amiable, nice guys. So it was a surprise to get the call. A welcome surprise,” Park told USA Today in January 2025 about portraying Sherlock Holmes’ foe. “The idea of playing a villain is thrilling to me.”
Will Sherlock Holmes appear in Watson season 2?
The first episode of Watson opens with Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty falling to their apparent deaths at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.
Moriarty was presumed dead, but ended up surviving, so could the world’s most famous detective also make an appearance in the next season of Watson?
“Even in Conan Doyle’s stories, Sherlock is not truly dead,” Sweeny told Deadline in January 2025. “My belief is that Holmes is gone.”
“I don’t want to be held to that if there’s some great story that presents itself,” he continued. “But I don’t believe that we’re ever going to feature Sherlock as an ongoing character in the show Watson at this time.”
Where can I watch Watson?
Watson airs on CBS and is streaming on Paramount+. The show is also available to watch for free on Pluto.
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