CBS has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism among fans as it orders a medical drama that race-swaps the iconic character Dr. John Watson from the Sherlock Holmes stories. Morris Chestnut has been cast to play Dr. John Watson in the upcoming series titled “Watson.” The show takes a contemporary approach, set one year after Sherlock Holmes’ death, with Watson resuming his medical career at a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders.
While CBS and the creators are touting this as a fresh and unexpected take on the character, many fans are expressing their discontent with the decision to race-swap yet another a well-known and beloved literary figure. The move is seen as part of a larger trend in the entertainment industry, where established characters are being race-swapped in the name of diversity and inclusion, but the race swappings always go one way to replace white characters with darker-skinned counterparts.
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This recent announcement follows a series of similar casting choices, including the race-swapping of Mary Jane in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” Additionally, there are plans for Rachel Zegler to portray Snow White in Disney’s upcoming adaptation. These decisions have not been well-received by fans, who argue that such changes are disrespectful to the original creations and alienate long-time enthusiasts.
Critics argue that race-swapping iconic characters often feels like a forced attempt at diversity, rather than a genuine effort to tell compelling stories. Fans express concerns that the focus on identity politics may overshadow the essence of storytelling that made these characters beloved in the first place. The decision to cast Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson has reignited the debate around the industry’s approach to representation.
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The controversy extends beyond the choice of Morris Chestnut for the role, raising questions about the industry’s commitment to creating original characters for underrepresented groups rather than altering existing ones. Most fans argue that creating new characters with compelling narratives would be a more respectful and inclusive approach, though Hollywood seems to lack any kind of originality in modern times.
CBS’s decision to greenlight “Watson” has intensified discussions about the impact of race-swapping on established franchises. While the network and creators may argue that they are bringing a fresh perspective to these characters, the discontent among fans suggests that a balance needs to be struck between inclusivity and honoring the source material.
As for Morris Chestnut playing John Watson, he has played a doctor in “The Resident” series from Fox. He’s also recently starred in “The Best Man: The Final Chapters “Our Kind of People,” “The Enemy Within.” He is best known for films, “Boyz n the Hood,” “The Best Man”, and “Think Like a Man.”
What do you think of CBS race swapping Watson from Sherlock Holmes with actor Morris Chestnut? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Decades since I’ve watched CBS. The question is why do they do this? IMO, it’s because black culture is so evil and repulsive, this is their effort to normalize black people. They don’t want you associating blacks with crime but with the image they put forth.
cultural appropriation.