AlthoughWatsonwould have a hard time justifying the character’s appearance, series star Morris Chestnut wantsElementary’s Joan Watson to show up in the CBS procedural. There are dozens of TV shows and hundreds of movies featuring Sherlock Holmes, and his legendary mysteries have been adapted into countless different contexts over the years. Most recently, CBS’sWatsonstars Morris Chestnut as Sherlock’s famous sidekick, John H Watson, who returns to work as a doctor after the apparent death of his friend and colleague Sherlock Holmes before the series began.
WhileWatsonseason 2promises more appearances from classic characters from the Sherlock Holmes universe,Watsonseason 1’s shocking endingkilled off Holmes’ infamous nemesis Moriarty in a shocking twist. FromIngrid’s relationship to Stephensto the future possibility of an appearance from Sherlock himself (despite his ostensible off-screen death before the series began),Watsonseason 2 has many potential story strands to follow. However, one possible crossover is of particular interest to series star Morris Chestnut.
Morris Chestnut Wants Lucy Liu To Appear In Watson
Watson’s Hero Said Elementary’s Star Should Appear In The Sherlock Holmes Retelling’s Second Season
Speaking toDeadline, Chestnut said that he was eager forElementarystar Lucy Liu to appear in the series. Liu played an earlier re-imagining of Sherlock’s sidekick, Dr. Joan Watson, in the hit seriesElementary.Elementaryran for seven seasons from 2012 until 2019 and the show cast Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, a sober companion to Johnny Lee Miller’s recovering addict version of Sherlock Holmes.
WhileElementaryhad many more episodesthanSherlockand lasted a lot longer than the cult hit, the overlapping release of the two shows meant they unavoidably garnered a lot of comparisons. Although Chestnut didn’t make it clear whether Liu would return to the role of Joan in Watson or not, his suggestions for season 2 are still the best opportunity for anyone inElementaryto come back for a reunion. Per Chestnut, “I’m trying to track her down and get her to come on our show because, yes, that would be great if we could get her.”
Dr. Joan Watson spent the entire series working with Miller’s version of Holmes, whereasWatsonhas its own unseen take on Holmes in the form of a late character who Chestnut’s Watson assisted during his life.
It would be undeniably exciting if Watson featured an appearance fromElementary’s Lucy Liu, although it is tough to see how the procedural could pull this off. After all, Dr. Joan Watson spent the entire series working with Miller’s version of Holmes, whereasWatsonhas its own unseen take on Holmes in the form of a late character who Watson assisted during his life.
Watson Is Created By Elementary’s Co-Executive Producer, Craig Sweeney
Sweeney Worked On Both Sherlock Re-imaginings
Although he is apparently dead in the world of the series,Watson’s Holmes can be heard voiced by Matt Berry in some recordings made during his life. SinceWatsonwas created byElementary’s co-executive producer, Craig Sweeney,there is a clear creative continuity between the two shows. Combine this with Chestnut’s comment, and it becomes clear that Liu’s return could be the most likely way for her to reprise the role ofElementary’s Joan Watson.
WhileWatsonseason 2’s Adam and Stephens storylinewill likely take precedence when the series returns to screens in 2026, viewers could still reasonably expect to seeElementary’s star appear on the show in a guest role. It is harder to see howWatsonseason 2 could get around the show’s conflicting continuities.
How Lucy Liu’s Joan Can Appear In Watson
Joan Watson Could Assist Chestnut’s Character In An Investigation
Watsonhas its own version of Moriarty and Sherlock, as doesElementary, meaning the show can’t simply have Liu play Dr. Joan Watson without acknowledging this confusion. However, there is another approach available.Watsonseason 2 could confirm that more than one version of Sherlock exists in the show’s universe, proving that the show shares its continuity withElementaryin the process.
This would be a fun, meta way to acknowledge the countless adaptations of Sherlock Holmes that exist, fromGuy Ritchie’s moviesto Netflix’sEnola Holmesfranchise. However, this could quickly become confusing forWatson. As such,Elementary’s star may appear as a new character if Lucy Liu does crop up inWatsonseason 2 for a guest role.
