All magic comes with a price, and sometimes, it seems that price could be a great thing. Watson has found its Sherlock Holmes, and it’s in one of the best stars in Once Upon a Time.
Robert Carlyle is taking on this iconic role in Watson season 2. Wait, isn’t the character dead in this universe? There’s a twist coming!
Robert Carlyle lands a recurring role in Watson season 2
Carlyle will take on a recurring guest role in Watson season 2, according to Deadline. Considering the actor’s abilities, it shouldn’t be that surprising to see him tackle this iconic role. He has played the likes of Rumpelstiltskin in Once Upon a Time and King James I in Gunpowder, Treason & Plot. If you need to watch him in something else, turn to The Full Monty, 28 Weeks Later, and even Stargate Universe.
The disappointing news for some is that he’s only a recurring role. Throughout the first season of the House-like Sherlock Holmes ideation, we saw Randall Park take on the iconic villain role of Moriarty, but only in a recurring guest capacity, which means he wasn’t seen all that often. However, when he was on screen, you stopped and watched!
Here's what showrunner Craig Sweeny told Deadline about Carlyle's casting:
“We are thrilled to have the mighty Robert Carlyle join the cast of Watson in Season 2. The man has played iconic roles in projects like Trainspotting, The Full Monty and 28 Weeks Later, and now he steps into the shoes of the most iconic detective of all, Sherlock Holmes. When Watson’s best friend and former partner makes a shocking reappearance in his life, Watson is forced to confront their shared past — and a secret that may lie buried within Watson’s own body.”
There have been many who have come before Carlyle to take on the role of Sherlock Holmes, including Robert Downey Jr., David Thewlis, Michael Caine, and Henry Cavill. Now it’s time to see what the Scottish actor can do, and I, for one, am excited.
Isn’t Sherlock dead in Watson?
I know what you’re thinking. Sherlock is dead in the series. Well, he is presumed dead. Just like Moriarty, it turns out that Sherlock survived the fall, and now he is back to see his old friend. It’s time for both of the men to confront buried secrets, and Watson is going to have to face the lies hidden within his own body.
When the series first premiered, Sweeney had said that he had no immediate plans to bring Sherlock into the series. There were no plans to revert from the story that he died. Well, that has all changed as we go into the second season, and it makes sense considering the way the Moriarty story ended.
This does follow the canon set in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. When Sherlock fell over the Reichenbach Falls, he was presumed dead. However, he didn’t die, and fans have long expected to see the character’s return in the new iteration.
Watson season 2 premieres on Monday, Oct. 13 at 10/9c on CBS.