Sherlock Holmes is finally coming toWatson, and the actor playing the iconic character should look familiar. The CBS medical drama TV series follows Dr. John Watson (played by Morris Chestnut) from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. As such, many expected Sherlock to appear in the show one day, and that time will evidently come in season 2.
CBS has cast Robert Carlyle to play Sherlock Holmes inWatsonseason 2(according to a report fromVariety). Carlyle is set to recur in a guest-starring role asthe famous detectivein the upcoming episodes. However, it remains unclear when Sherlock will arrive, whether the premiere introduces Carlyle’s character, or if he appears later. Regarding Carlyle’s casting, showrunner Craig Sweeny said:
“We are thrilled to have the mighty Robert Carlyle join the cast of Watson in season 2. The man has played iconic roles in projects like Trainspotting, The Full Monty, and 28 Weeks Later… and now he steps into the shoes of the most iconic detective of all, Sherlock Holmes. When Watson’s best friend and former partner makes a shocking reappearance in his life, Watson is forced to confront their shared past—and a secret that may lie buried within Watson’s own body.”
What Robert Carlyle’s Casting Means For Watson Season 2
Watson Thought Sherlock Was Dead
As the audience learned in the series premiere,Watsonstarts with Sherlock “dead.“Well, at least that is what Watson believed. A year prior to the pilot, Watson and Sherlock were chasing Professor James Moriarty when Sherlock and Moriarty fell off a waterfall. Watson suffered a brain injury andlearned at the hospital that neither Sherlock nor his arch-nemesis survived the fall.
Flash-forward one year, and Watson has opened the “Holmes Clinic” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was still grieving his best friend and longtime partner, though, whenMoriarty, clearly not dead, returned.If Moriarty was alive, it would only make sense if Sherlock were, too. Now,Sherlock will officially appear inWatson, with Carlyle portraying him.
Sherlock’s reappearance will surely shock Chestnut’s Watsonin the medical drama. He grieved his friend only to learn one year later that he didn’t die when thrown over the side of the waterfall. However, the “why” of it all might be more important tothe story inWatsonseason 2. It’s unclear why Sherlock resurfaces and what he might want from Watson.
Our Take On Robert Carlyle Playing Sherlock Holmes
Carlyle Is A Respected Actor
Sherlock is a huge role for any actor to take on, meaning that the casting process for him inWatsonseason 2 must have been quite delicate. Thankfully, CBS secured a talented performer to portray the detective.Carlyle is the perfect person to follow in the footsteps of actors like Robert Downey Jr.,Benedict Cumberbatch, and Johnny Lee Miller in playing Sherlock.
Fans willrecognize Carlyle from movies such asTrainspotting,28 Weeks Later,The Full Monty, and more. As for the TV side of things, Carlyle is known for his portrayal ofRumplestiltskin inOnce Upon a Time. Ultimately, Carlyle is more than qualified to star as Sherlock inWatson, and it will be fun to watch him embrace the iconic role.
Watsonseason 2 will premiere on Monday, July 24, 2025, at 10 pm ET on CBS.
