Watson Showrunner Talks Season 2 Sherlock Holmes Canon

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Watson season 1 finale.

Although Watson’s season 1 finale did kill off one of the show’s closest links to the original Sherlock Holmes canon, season 2 will reportedly feature plenty more links to the iconic detective stories, according to its showrunner. While Watson‘s cast of characters are engaging on their own, the show’s nods to Sherlock Holmes lore are a pivotal part of its success. Watson season 1’s ending shocked viewers by killing off Randall Park’s Moriarty, arguably the most famous recurring antagonist from author Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic Sherlock Holmes stories.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Watson showrunner Craig Sweeny confirms that despite Moriarty’s death, the Sherlock Holmes lore will continue to be a factor in Watson season 2. Admittedly, there are some concerns about this after the villain’s demise. Luckily, it seems like the creative team behind the series will keep its source material at play. Read his full quote below:

“The Sherlock Holmes canon will not go away. In fact, it will be present in a new and hopefully inventive way in season 2. It’s not as simple as like, “Well, we did Moriarty, so now we’ll do Gruner, and this time he’s stealing the post-it notes instead of the DNA.” … We work the lore in what I think is going to be a really pleasantly surprising way for the audience in season 2. But yes, we’re not just saying the flavor of the stories, but actual events and characters from the stories will figure into season 2.”

Watson Season 2 Will Feature More Sherlock Holmes Canon

Showrunner Craig Sweeny Confirms Moriarty’s Death Is Just The Beginning

Watson season 1 relied heavily on Moriarty as its villain, and this was a savvy way to link its hero to the world of Sherlock Holmes. After all, Watson and Moriarty are arguably the most recognizable supporting characters from Conan Doyle’s stories. Since Sweeny said Sherlock won’t appear in Watson, it made perfect sense for the series to begin with a plot centered on his most famous enemy.

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Sweeny did concede that Holmes is never really dead, even in the world of the Conan Doyle stories, so it was impossible to entirely rule out a future appearance from the detective. However, Watson season 1 set up the series as a fun, contemporary spin on the legendary detective stories, so there is no real need for Holmes to make an unlikely return in season 2. Instead, as Sweeny’s comments imply, Watson season 2 could incorporate more characters from the broader world of Sherlock Holmes.

Our Take On Watson Season 2 Incorporating More Sherlock Canon

Watson Season 1’s Holmes Links Proved A Fun Element

Now that Watson season 1’s links to Sherlock Holmes elevated the procedural, Watson season 2 could benefit from more nods to Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Watson season 1 already referenced Mrs. Hudson and Irene Adler in episode 6, and there are many memorable supporting characters and notable villains from the author’s works who may still appear in future outings. If they are able to incorporate these characters to the show, despite its modern setting, then it’s safe to say that Sweeny and his team have a rough plan, at least, to bring some more familiar character.

Moving forward, this is interesting, arguably more than just seeing Watson‘s version of Sherlock on the screen. This also allows the CBS series to offer something new to viewers, who have had no shortage of stories from that world in the last decade.

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