Six years after Elementary was an underrated Sherlock Holmes series set in modern times. Jonny Lee Miller's Holmes was a recovering opioid addict who worked closely with Liu's Watson, who was the first female version of Holmes' famous assistant. Together, the two assisted the police department in solving difficult cases that the cops could not crack on their own.
There have been several other adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes novels, most notably the BBC's Sherlock. However, Sherlock in many respects, most notably that it humanized Holmes more than any other adaptation has done. Rather than being a genius who is hard to relate to, Miller's Holmes had serious character flaws as well as strengths, which made Elementary a more interesting and relatable series. There has not been another adaptation that has done anything similar with the well-known detective.
Watson Is Elementary's Spiritual Sequel 6 Years Later
This New Show Comes From The Same Creative Mind
CBS' Watson, which will premiere on January 26, 2025, is the closest thing to a spiritual successor to Elementary. It isn't a direct sequel, as it stars Morris Chestnut as John Watson rather than Lucy Liu reprising her role as Joan. However, it shares the idea of humanizing these classic characters. Watson's premise is that Holmes has died and thus Watson must now take on the role of the investigator rather than the assistant who shares knowledge with Holmes and doesn't have his gift for seeing details that others miss.
Watson TV Show Risks Repeating The Problem That Killed BBC’s Sherlock
The Watson TV show will feature Sherlock Holmes' archnemesis Moriarty, but the show is at risk of repeating BBC's Sherlock's biggest problem.
This intriguing premise offers the opportunity for Watson to be the main character rather than the sidekick, which is an interesting twist that fits the flawed protagonist model that Elementary popularized. Additionally, the series is created by Craig Sweeny, who was a writer for Liu and Miller's show. Because of this, Sweeny will likely bring the same perspective to Watson that he did to Elementary. While he won't repeat the same stories, he will probably offer the same type of fascinating cases Elementary was known for as well as explore Watson's human side.
Is Watson Narratively Connected To Elementary?
The Two Shows Are Completely Separate Despite Sharing A Writer
Watson doesn't exist in the same universe as Elementary, as that would require there to be two versions of Holmes and Watson. It is a clever move on Sweeny's part to make it take place after Holmes' death, as that will prevent comparisons between this Holmes and the one who appeared in Elementary. Additionally, casting a male Watson allows Chestnut to make the role his own, while another female Watson might be expected to act similarly to Liu's version of the character.
Watson is continuing the groundbreaking tradition of offering more human, modern versions of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters that Elementary began.
It's worth emphasizing that Watson is an original series that is not being billed as a sequel or spinoff of Elementary. However, without the previous show, it is unlikely this show would have been made. Watson is continuing the groundbreaking tradition of offering more human, modern versions of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters that Elementary began. This time, Sweeny is focusing the series on Watson's attempt to continue Holmes' legacy after his death.
Elementary
- Release Date
- 2012 - 2019-00-00
- Network
- CBS
- Showrunner
- Jonny Lee Miller
Cast
Lucy Liu
Jon Michael Hill
WHERE TO WATCH
A modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, Elementary is set in New York City and details the adventures of Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) who becomes partner to the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes (Johnny Lee Miller) after first being assigned as his sober companion. Set up a procedural crime drama, the series includes multiple references to the original Holmes stories, often with surprising twists. Aidan Quinn and John Micahel Hill also star as Thomas Gregson and Marcus Bell, with John Noble as a notable guest star.
- Streaming Service(s)
- Paramount Plus
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