“Elementary, my dear Watson,” as the saying goes, but there’s nothing elementary about the rare and complex cases tackled on “Watson.” Airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, the medical mystery drama stars Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson. Created by “Elementary” writer-producer Craig Sweeny, the series explores a fresh take on the Sherlock Holmes universe. While it shares creative roots with “Elementary,” “Watson” is a new reimagining.
CBS renewed the series for a second season in late March 2025, midway through its debut run. Here’s everything we know about how to get cast on “Watson.”
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“Watson” follows Dr. Watson (Chestnut), who returns to practicing medicine six months after his friend Sherlock Holmes’ death (reportedly at the hands of their longtime nemesis, Professor James Moriarty). Relocating from London to Pittsburgh, Watson opens the Holmes Clinic to treat patients with rare and puzzling medical conditions. When he suspects Moriarty (Randall Park) may still be alive, Watson is pulled back into a world of mystery and danger.
Season 1, which premiered in January, is scheduled to air its finale on May 11.
Sherry Thomas and Gohar Gazazyan of Bialy/Thomas & Associates are the casting directors. Together, they’ve cast high-profile projects like “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” and “Parish.” On their own, Thomas has worked on “Barry” and “The Righteous Gemstones,” while Gazazyan’s credits include “Julia” and “Orphan Black: Echoes.”
Curious about Gazazyan’s approach to casting? Check out this interview to learn more about her audition room process.
While “Watson” already features a strong ensemble, there’s always room for fresh talent. You’ll likely need an agent to access network-level auditions. If you’re not yet repped, here’s how to get started.
CBS’ “Watson” isn’t currently casting as the series was just renewed for a second installment. In the meantime, these regularly updated casting roundups are a great place to find your next gig:
For even more leads, bookmark these casting directories:
Need help prepping for your next audition? These resources can help: