Morris Chestnut’s “Watson” Axed at CBS as Lead Actor’s “Two-Season Curse” Continues

The medical mystery is officially over for Dr. John Watson. CBS has announced the cancellation of Watson, the modern-day Sherlock Holmes spin-off starring Morris Chestnut, after just two seasons. Despite a high-concept premise that reimagined the legendary sidekick as a brilliant medical detective solving “House-like” mysteries, the series failed to maintain its momentum. The series finale is now set to air on May 3, 2026, marking an abrupt end to what was once a promising addition to the network’s procedural lineup.

The decision comes down to a significant ratings slide. While the first season enjoyed a strong debut in early 2025, the second season saw a steep 57% drop in the key 18-49 demographic. Averaging just under 3 million viewers per episode, Watson became one of the network’s lowest-rated scripted dramas. Even a creative pivot that reunited Chestnut’s character with Sherlock Holmes (played by Robert Carlyle) wasn’t enough to save the show from the chopping block during CBS’s recent wave of schedule clearing.

For Morris Chestnut, the cancellation of Watson is more than just a job loss—it’s the continuation of a frustrating trend in his career as a leading man. Fans have begun noting a “two-season curse” for the actor, who has struggled to find a solo vehicle that survives past the sophomore mark. His stylish Fox drama Rosewood, where he played private pathologist Beaumont Rosewood Jr., was similarly cancelled in 2017 after two seasons. Before that, his stint on the sci-fi reboot V also ended after its second year, though he was part of an ensemble cast in that instance.

The pattern of short-lived leads extends even further back into his filmography. In 2019, Chestnut starred in the high-stakes thriller The Enemy Within, which didn’t even make it to a second season, getting the axe after just 13 episodes. While he found long-term success as part of the ensemble in the medical drama The Resident (which ran for six seasons), that elusive “long-running hit” where he is the primary star continues to remain out of reach. With Watson officially closing its doors this May, the industry is left wondering when one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men will finally land the multi-season powerhouse he deserves.