Randall Park’s Shocking Moriarty Reveal in CBS’ Watson

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2025 TV lineup boasts several shows worth tuning in, and among them, “Watson,” which debuted on CBS, is one to look out for. Upon viewing its premiere, I can attest that the label of a “doc-detective” series fits perfectly, and I believe it holds great promise. This assessment comes from my strong conviction after witnessing the first episode, which showcased something that has me genuinely thrilled.

Morris Chestnut shines brilliantly as a leading actor, despite his role, John H. Watson, being the secondary character in the well-known Sherlock Holmes tales. The climax of the premiere episode (streamable with a Paramount+ subscription) introduces another renowned figure from the series’ universe, which I find most intriguing about this show.

Randall Park As Moriarty Was An Unexpected Surprise

Early in the show, Watson observes an impressive event through a flashback where his previous partner, Sherlock Holmes, clashes with their adversary Moriarty. From afar, it’s hard to recognize who is portraying these iconic figures, but their actions pique curiosity about their identities. Towards the end of the episode, we discover one of them is indeed Randall Park.

Viewers are probably familiar with Park from the numerous shows and films he’s been involved in throughout his career, spanning both cable television and blockbuster movies like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Watson presents a distinct opportunity for him to stretch his acting muscles. While he’s taken on comedic roles such as Kim Jong Un in The Interview, this is his debut as a villain of such gravity as Professor James Moriarty.

This uncommon choice of casting Randall Park as Moriarty in the CBS series wasn’t likely a hasty decision. Given his extensive acting resume in Hollywood, it’s hard to believe that bringing him onboard was the most cost-effective option. However, Watson seems to have an intriguing strategy for Park, and I’m eager to witness where they take this character.

Randall Park Is More Known For Comedy Than Drama, So How Will This Work?

Randall Park is seldom cast as a villain in his acting roles. Instead, he’s the affable, humorous character, even when portraying more serious professions like a superhero’s handler. The majority of his career has been centered around comedy, and his debut scene in Watson suggests his comedic talents are on full display. His charming smile is so endearing that it’s hard to picture him as a villain, let alone Moriarty.

In the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty serves as a cunning criminal mastermind who often counteracts Sherlock’s detective work. Unlike Sherlock, who uses his skills to uphold justice, Moriarty primarily assists other criminals, providing them with strategic advice and aiding their efforts to avoid capture by law enforcement. In return, he receives a portion of the ill-gotten gains from their criminal activities.

I have to admit, Randall Park seems too pleasant to play Moriarty, but it’s not entirely clear that this assumption holds water. While Moriarty was initially written as a counterpart to Sherlock Holmes, there isn’t much detail about him in the original stories. He appears infrequently, and surprisingly, there are more episodes of Star Trek featuring Moriarty than there are Doyle-penned Sherlock Holmes adventures where Moriarty is the main antagonist.

To put it simply, even though Randall Park’s portrayal of Moriarty might differ from more recent depictions of the character in Sherlock Holmes adaptations, it doesn’t mean it’s incorrect. After all, we’ve already noticed that Enlightened Inc.’s Watson often alters significant characters from the franchise, so it’s no surprise if they choose to present Moriarty differently as well.

Who Will Be The Sherlock Holmes To Rival Randall Park’s Moriarty?

Given our newfound knowledge about Moriarty, it seems Watson may have unleashed a catastrophe akin to Pandora’s Box. Although Sherlock Holmes is believed to have perished in the CBS series, the fact that Moriarty survived strongly hints at the possibility of Holmes being alive somewhere too. With Randall Park portraying the antagonist, one can’t help but wonder who will take on the role of the iconic detective, playing the polar opposite to the villain.

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I’m intrigued by the potential outcomes, however, as previously stated, it could be a tricky path for the character of Watson. Considering this is a medical mystery show revolving around Dr. Watson, introducing Sherlock Holmes would certainly pique viewer interest in our main protagonist. The challenge lies in creating a series centered on a sidekick, without quickly hinting at the presence of the lead character, much like trying to make a Robin Hood series and then alluding to Robin’s partner Batman straightaway.

Based on this, it seems likely that by the end of Season 1 of Watson, we may find out who portrays Sherlock Holmes. If not, I don’t foresee myself being disappointed, but I can envision some viewers remaining curious about the character’s status and whether they might appear in future seasons (should CBS choose to renew it).

Let’s hope that when Watson casts Sherlock Holmes, they choose an actor as unconventional and intriguing as Randall Park. I believe the role needs someone equally surprising, but who knows? Morris Chestnut could make a fantastic Watson, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to take on the part. Maybe a more traditional Sherlock would create better chemistry between them? We’ll find out if it happens in the end.

From February 16 onwards, you’ll find Watson airing every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. I think the series is off to a solid start, and its distinctive casting for the main antagonist is particularly impressive. Here’s hoping it maintains this momentum as we journey through Season 1, and that viewers take a liking to it and show their appreciation!

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2025-02-07 02:37