For the file, Morris Chestnut will not be an actual physician. He simply performs one on TV.
To be exact, Chestnut has performed a number of physicians within the final a number of years, scrubbing in as a trauma specialist in “Nurse Jackie” earlier than transferring on to pathology in Fox’s “Rosewood.”
The final physician he performed, Barrett Cain in Fox’s “The Resident,” is a standout. Viewers loathed him. Chestnut liked it.
“Cain was more concerned about the money a patient would make for the hospital than the patient’s health,” he stated with a mischievous chortle. “Fans loved to hate me. They would approach me and say, ‘You’re so mean.’ I really liked that.”
Chestnut is placing his “bad doctor” days behind him, taking over a brand new specialty as a compassionate geneticist and internist in CBS’ medical drama “Watson,” a contemporary reboot of the Sherlock Holmes mythology. He performs Dr. John Watson, Holmes’ companion, who turns into the pinnacle of an elite uncommon problems clinic at a Pittsburgh hospital after Holmes is murdered.
“I’ve never made Hollywood my life,” Chestnut stated. “It’s a tough place — physically and emotionally.”
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Instances)
Remodeling the Watson character means extra to Chestnut than simply increasing his medical resume. Whereas he has loved a reasonably constant profession since his acclaimed debut in 1991’s “Boyz N the Hood,” Chestnut has principally been featured in ensemble or supporting roles, a lot of them romantic automobiles showcasing his beauty and athletic construct.
“Watson” represents his hoped-for ascension into the ranks of main man.
“This is a significant milestone for me in a number of ways,” he stated. “I’ve had lead roles before, but as an actor, I feel I’m hitting my stride in terms of how I approach the work. The opportunity to play this character, and on CBS, is huge. And to play with the Sherlock Holmes mythology is something I never would have imagined.”
CBS is placing heavy promotional muscle behind “Watson.” Earlier than its official premiere Feb. 16, the community is launching the drama on Jan. 26 following the NFL playoffs.
The actor maintained that “Watson” is distinctive from different medical dramas. “We are not just doctors, we are detectives,” he stated. “When patients come into our clinic, we don’t solve the medical mystery right there. We go into their homes, we go into the streets. It’s combining the medical aspect of Watson with the influence of Sherlock.”
Making his manner by means of a wholesome breakfast at a Beverly Hills resort, Chestnut was enthusiastic as he mentioned the collection. He seemed a lot the identical as he did within the first “The Best Man” function in 1999 through which his portrayal of a muscular soccer star solidified his heartthrob standing.
He credited his look to his aggressively wholesome way of life: “It’s a blessing from God. I’ve never made Hollywood my life. It’s just a part of my life. It’s a tough place — physically and emotionally. I’ve seen it eat people and spit them out. I go home and chill after work. I don’t go to parties. That stuff can take a toll on your soul, body and mind.”
Chestnut as John Watson in “Watson,” which premieres Sunday within the prime post-NFL time slot.
(Colin Bentley / CBS)
Chestnut, who can be an government producer of “Watson,” was instantly excited when first offered with the pilot script from showrunner Craig Sweeny. “It was so strong. Had everything — action, emotion, wit. It left you with a cliffhanger to see where things were going to go. After I met with Craig and learned where he wanted to take the show, I knew I had to sign on.”
But he is also uncomfortably conscious that not everyone seems to be happy with a Black actor taking over a task that has traditionally been portrayed by white males. The record of previous Watsons embrace Nigel Bruce, Robert Duvall, Jude Regulation, John C. Reilly and Martin Freeman.
The transfer has been already met with gripes on social media, mirroring the criticism that greeted the casting of Halle Bailey within the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” the “Star Wars” franchise and different beloved properties which have embraced extra cultural range.
“I’m reluctant to discuss it, particularly in the times we’re living in,” stated Chestnut, his deep voice registering his disappointment. “I’ve seen some negative comments about me playing this character. And I really don’t want to focus on that — I just hope people see the character in the mythology for who he is. I don’t want to call attention to that.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that his casting would have attracted much less consideration a number of years in the past, when the Black Lives Matter motion sparked requires extra fairness and inclusion in Hollywood.
Stated Chestnut, “It would have been much more seamless, 100%. In these times, people like to point to certain things and bring a negative political spin to it. I’m glad that ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Wicked’ are wildly successful. In my whole career, I’ve never made it about things outside of my work. It is frustrating to have to deal with that. Hopefully we are all successful.”
“Watson” is only one of a number of new physician dramas checking into prime time this season. NBC’s “Brilliant Minds,” Fox’s “Doc,” Max’s “The Pitt” and ABC’s “Doctor Odyssey” have joined veterans “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Chicago Med.”
Aiding Watson within the clinic is a squad of younger, achieved medical doctors who’re additionally investigating the uncommon problems. Complicating his private life is his lingering affection for his ex-wife, Dr. Mary Morstan (Rochelle Aytes), who can be the hospital’s medical director. And Watson continues to be being focused by Holmes’ nemesis, Moriarty.
“I’m most energized not only by the evolution of my character, but of the other characters,” Chestnut stated. “The audience is really going to feel for them. The show is exciting and emotional.”
Chestnut first rose to prominence within the Nineteen Nineties with movies resembling “Boyz N the Hood” and “The Best Man.”
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Instances)
The collection marks the community’s second Holmes reboot. “Elementary,” which starred Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu because the investigative duo, premiered in 2012 and had a strong seven-season run.
Sweeny, who was an government producer on “Elementary,” stated Chestnut was one of many actors he was fascinated with when he was writing the pilot for “Watson”: “It was because of his empathy and intelligence. Everybody in the industry has nothing but glowing words for Morris as a person. He is one of the kindest and most respectful people I’ve ever worked with, as well as a great leader.”
He was additionally impressed by a number of of the actor’s earlier portrayals of physicians.
Stated Sweeny: “In writing a medical show, I’m going to task the actor with swimming in an ocean of medical jargon. It takes a commitment. With this show, we’re committed to getting the science right with every medical twist and turn. Correct science has a lot of syllables. Morris is as committed to getting it right on his end as we are in the writing.”
“Playing a doctor is very challenging, and playing a doctor in a one-hour series is even more challenging,” Chestnut stated. “The medical terminology is almost a different language. I have to know what I’m talking about. I can’t change the words around like I could in a regular role. The terms and diagnosis have to be accurate and on point. It puts a whole different layer to the performance.”
It’s a problem he’s grateful to tackle, notably at this level in his artistic development. In “Boyz N the Hood,” late director John Singleton‘s landmark debut about young people living amid the dangers of gang life in South Los Angeles, Chestnut played Ricky Baker, a star high school football star who hopes to go to college with a scholarship. Ricky meets a tragic end when he is gunned down by gang members.
“Aside from that film launching my career, it has helped me sustain my career,” he said. “It’s not solely an important movie, however individuals had been rooting for me. Folks had been emotionally related to the character, however the endurance whereas I used to be doing different initiatives related individuals to me. I can’t let you know how many individuals I discuss to in the present day who weren’t alive when the film was launched.”
The opposite key spotlight is “The Best Man,” Malcolm D. Lee’s romantic comedy a few group of faculty associates who’ve a joyous however rocky reunion when two of them determine to marry. That movie bucked the pattern of Black movies on the time that centered on turmoil in Black areas, specializing in subtle, upscale Black characters.
Chestnut was among the many forged members who would transfer on to main stardom, together with Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Nia Lengthy, Regina Corridor and Melissa De Sousa. The forged reunited for a sequel, 2013’s “The Best Man Holiday,” and the 2022 Peacock restricted collection “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.”
Within the franchise, Chestnut performed one other star soccer participant, Lance Sullivan, who’s emotionally distraught in “The Best Man Holiday” after studying that his spouse, Mia (Monica Calhoun), is dying of most cancers. As soon as once more, Chestnut stated, “People were on an emotional journey with me. That also helped me sustain a career.”
These movies and subsequent initiatives have positioned him for the highlight in “Watson,” he stated.
“I am so honored they thought of me for this,” he stated. “I just wanted the industry to recognize me, to see me and say, ‘I want that guy.’ ”
