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Moriarty may have died in the Season 1 finale of Watson, but that doesn’t mean fans have seen the last of Randall Park. As the villain who created major challenges for Dr. Watson and his team, Moriarty’s influence still lingers. In television storytelling, especially in series like this one, characters can return even after their deaths through flashbacks, hallucinations, or psychological reflections.
Executive producer Craig Sweeny has addressed the possibility of Moriarty returning in Season 2. His statements suggest that while Moriarty is dead, the character’s presence might still be felt.
“I definitely wouldn’t rule it out,” Sweeny said when asked if Randall Park could return. He added, “The act will haunt Watson, and you’d be a fool to say, I would never allow Randall Park to act in our show. I mean, I would love to see him again.”
This statement leaves the door open for various storytelling options in Season 2. Whether through memory, flashbacks, or emotional fallout, Moriarty’s actions will continue to affect the main characters, especially the protagonist, played by Morris Chestnut.
Moriarty’s fate in Season 1
Moriarty’s story arc ended with his death in the Season 1 finale. His last move was to poison the twin fellows, Adam and Stephens (Peter Mark Kendall). With Ingrid (Eve Harlow) sabotaging the cure, only one dose remained. Watson chose to use it on Adam.
Later, Ingrid told him about Moriarty’s blackmail. He then used Moriarty’s own DNA against him, compelling him to surrender the information needed to help Stephens. However, by then, the cure for Moriarty was ineffective. The doctor sat with him as he died.
According to Craig Sweeny,
“We didn’t start the season going, ‘Oh, Moriarty is going to die at the end of the season.’”
He explained that the situation evolved based on the storyline.
“We created this constellation of circumstances where no matter what happened, no matter what they did with him... he still has this trove of DNA somewhere that would allow him to do to essentially anybody in the world what he did to Adam and Stephens.”
Sweeny said the goal was to “minimize the damage” caused by Moriarty’s long-term plans. Watson’s decision will have consequences moving forward.
“That decision will have a lot of ramifications on the character going forward,” Sweeny added.
Possibilities for Moriarty’s return
Craig Sweeny did not confirm that Moriarty will appear in Season 2, but he did not rule it out.
“Even though it upended and that decision will have a lot of ramifications on the character going forward, I don’t think even given that he would change what he did.”
The idea of seeing Moriarty again isn’t limited to resurrection. Sweeny acknowledged the possibility of flashbacks or mental projections.
“The act will haunt Watson,” he noted.
This could mean that Randall Park’s character might appear as a part of the doctor’s internal struggle.
There’s also the question of Sherlock Holmes’ fate. In the show, Holmes (voiced by Matt Berry) fell alongside Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. Since Holmes’ death isn’t fully confirmed, flashbacks could explore events before or during that fall. If that happens, Moriarty could appear again in that context.
How does it affect Watson’s character?
The decision to end Moriarty’s life wasn’t planned from the beginning, according to Sweeny. But it deeply changes the course of Watson’s story. He is a doctor, someone who saves lives. But in this case, he crossed a moral line.
Sweeny explained,
“Watson really approached that from a perspective of doing the least harm... I think he’s really shaken and rattled by it and it’s affecting the way he’s dealing with the people around him.”
Lead actor Morris Chestnut also commented on how this shift affects his character.
“Even though it was for a good cause,” he said, Watson now has to face personal questions. “Just even as a person, once you crossed the line like that, how does it make you feel? Can you really, really live with yourself? Did you like it? Is it something you want to keep pushing?”
According to Chestnut, these are the questions the show will explore in Season 2.
“There’s so many things that it brings up, which is, I’m excited for Season 2 because I believe Craig is going to be exploring all of those questions.”
While Moriarty died in the Season 1 finale, executive producer Craig Sweeny has not ruled out Randall Park’s return. The character’s influence will continue to affect Watson, both emotionally and narratively. Sweeny's statements leave open the possibility for future appearances in flashbacks or hallucinations.
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Watson’s decision to end Moriarty’s life will play a major role in shaping his identity in Season 2. The show will explore how that choice affects him as a doctor and as a person. Whether or not Moriarty returns on screen, his legacy is not over in the show.
Season 2 is set to premiere in 2026 on CBS.
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