Sherlock Meets Doc Martin: Watson Is the Charming Mystery Drama Detective Fans Have Been Waiting For
Eight years after Sherlock came to an end, fans of clever detectives and baffling mysteries have a new series to get stuck into. Watson, starring Morris Chestnut as Dr John Watson, brings a fresh twist to the familiar world of Sherlock Holmes, trading traditional crime-solving for medical mysteries that are every bit as intriguing.
With elements of the gripping BBC detective drama Sherlock and the character-driven charm of Doc Martin, this series offers something a little different. Instead of chasing criminals through the streets, Watson puts his sharp mind to work diagnosing rare disorders and solving complex medical cases, proving that his detective instincts are just as valuable in a hospital as they were alongside Sherlock Holmes.
But leaving his old life behind is easier said than done. Although Watson finds greater fulfilment in medicine, his past continues to follow him, and the puzzles he encounters are anything but straightforward. For viewers who enjoy a charismatic lead, intricate mysteries and a blend of drama and humour, this could be a welcome addition to their watchlist.
Having already attracted a substantial audience in the US, Watson is now available to UK viewers. Here’s everything to know about the series, from its central mystery and cast to where you can watch the latest episodes.
What Is Watson About?
The series begins with a devastating loss. Dr John Watson is forced to build a life without his closest friend and detective partner, Sherlock Holmes, following Sherlock’s death at the hands of his arch-enemy, Moriarty.
Set six years after that tragedy, the drama follows Watson as he steps away from criminal investigations and returns to his medical career. He takes up a leading role at a clinic specialising in rare disorders, hoping to focus on treating patients rather than pursuing dangerous criminals.
However, Watson’s ability to spot connections and work through complicated clues has not disappeared. As unusual medical cases begin to demand his attention, he finds himself drawing on the same instincts that once made him an invaluable partner to Sherlock.
The result is a mystery drama with a distinctive medical angle. Each case gives Watson a new puzzle to unravel, while his attempt to move forward without Sherlock adds a more personal dimension to the story.
Who Stars in Watson?
Morris Chestnut leads the first series as Dr John Watson, bringing audiences a new interpretation of the familiar character. He is joined by a supporting cast playing the medical professionals and other figures who become part of Watson’s world.
The main cast of series one includes:
- Morris Chestnut (The Resident, Rosewood) as Dr John Watson.
- Eve Harlow (The Night Agent) as Dr Ingrid Derian.
- Peter Mark Kendall (The Americans) as Dr Stephens Croft/Adam Croft.
- Ritchie Coster (The Dark Knight) as Shinwell Johnson.
- Inga Schlingmann (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) as Dr Sasha Lubbock.
- Rochelle Aytes (Mistresses) as Dr Mary Morstan.
The cast also expands in the second series with the arrival of Robert Carlyle, known for Trainspotting, The Full Monty and Toxic Town. He joins the drama as Sherlock Holmes, bringing the legendary detective into the series in a new chapter of Watson’s story.
For fans of the original Holmes mysteries, Sherlock’s presence is an especially intriguing development, given that his death forms such an important part of the show’s premise.
Is There a Trailer for Watson?
Yes. The trailer for the first series offers a glimpse of the show’s medical mysteries and introduces Morris Chestnut as a doctor who approaches difficult cases with the instincts of a detective.
Is Watson Worth Watching?
Although Watson received mixed reviews from US critics, its audience figures suggest that the series has found plenty of viewers.
When it debuted in the US, the show delivered the most-watched scripted episode on CBS during the 2024/25 season. According to Nielsen figures cited in the original report, the first series averaged 6.79 million viewers per week.
Chestnut’s performance has also attracted praise, particularly for the charm he brings to Dr Watson. Rather than simply recreating the traditional detective formula, the series gives him a different professional setting in which to exercise his powers of observation and deduction.
For viewers who enjoy medical dramas as much as crime stories, that combination may be part of the appeal. The cases revolve around rare and complicated disorders, while Watson’s background as Sherlock’s partner gives his approach to problem-solving a familiar detective-story quality.
The critical response has not been universally positive, but the show’s audience figures and its distinctive premise make it worth considering for fans looking for a new mystery series.
How Can You Watch Watson in the UK?
The first series of Watson is available to stream on Sky and NOW.
The second series is scheduled to arrive on Sky Witness and NOW on Sunday, 15 February 2026, giving UK viewers the chance to follow Watson’s story into its next chapter.
With the return of familiar characters and the introduction of new developments, the second series also brings Robert Carlyle into the cast as Sherlock Holmes.
What Other Detective Dramas Should You Watch?
If Watson leaves you wanting another mystery to solve, there are several other series worth adding to your list.
High Potential
Available on Disney+, High Potential stars Kaitlin Olson as a sharp-minded single mother who discovers an unexpected talent for solving crimes.
After moving from cleaning work into the world of criminal investigations, her character uses her remarkable ability to identify connections and unravel difficult cases across Los Angeles. The series combines a clever central mystery with a charismatic lead, making it a natural choice for viewers who enjoy watching unconventional investigators outthink everyone around them.
Ludwig
For another series built around unusual detective skills, Ludwig is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
David Mitchell stars as a man who takes on the role of a police detective to help find his missing brother. Despite his unconventional route into the job, Ludwig proves remarkably good at solving cases, using his own particular approach to work through complicated puzzles.
Like Watson, the series places an unconventional investigator at the centre of its mysteries, offering a different take on the familiar detective-drama format.
Whether you prefer the medical puzzles of Watson, the sharp observations of High Potential or the offbeat investigations of Ludwig, there are plenty of options for viewers who enjoy a mystery with a distinctive lead character.