Dr. Watson

Origin

Little is known about Watson’s early life. He was born and raised in England, probably in or around London, and attended medical school at the University of London, graduating in 1878. Following his graduation he trained as a surgeon at Netley, eventually seeking employment with the British Army as a surgeon. He saw action during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. He was shot in the shoulder in Afghanistan during the Battle of Maiwand, and returned to London after suffering an illness. In London, he was introduced to Sherlock Holmes, with whom he became flatmates. He accompanied Holmes in the pursuit of one of his cases, and decided to publish Holmes’ adventures after learning that Holmes was happy to allow the police to take credit for his brilliant work.

Creation

Watson was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He makes his first appearance in A Study in Scarlet.

Major Story Arcs

Sherlock Holmes

Watson is the assistant and companion to Sherlock Holmes. He accompanies Holmes on most of his cases, and offers assistance where he can, often in the form of medical expertise or back up. In most cases he is used as a sounding board, or left out of Holmes’ deductions until the conclusion of the case, but occasionally he is instrumental in the conclusion. In almost all cases he later compiles the information into a short story narrating the events, which he has published.

Powers and Abilities

Watson is of above average intelligence, and a gifted doctor and skilled surgeon. He is a crack shot, and of fair physical strength; he is capable in unarmed fighting.

Other Media

Animation

Sherlock Hound

Watson appears in this anime as an anthropomorphic Scottish Terrier. He is voiced in Japanese by Kousei Tomita, and in English by Lewis Arquette.

BraveStarr

Watson appears in the episode “Sherlock Holmes in the 23rd Century Part 1”. He is voiced by Peter Cullen.

The Real Ghost Busters

Along with Holmes and Professor Moriarty, Watson appears as a fictional character made manifest by belief in the episode “Elementary My Dear Winston”. He is voiced by Frank Welker.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Watson appears in the episode “Elementary, My Dear Turtle”. He is voiced by Pat Fraley.

Animaniacs

Watson appears in the episode “Deduces Wild/Rest in Piece/U.N. Me”. He is voiced by Jeff Bennett.

Soul Eater

Watson appears in two episodes in this anime series. He is voiced in Japanese by Tetsuo Goto, and in English by Chris Carson.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Watson appears in the episode “Trial of the Demon!”. He is voiced by Jim Piddick.

Film

Watson appears in all or almost all film adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Notable recent appearances include the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes films, where he is played by Jude Law. He has been played in other films by such actors as Nigel Bruce, James Mason, and Robert Duvall, among numerous others.

Literature

Sherlock Holmes Canon

Watson was originally created for the Sherlock Holmes series of stories. He appears in 58 of the 60 stories in the canon, and is first person narrator of all stories less four.

Sherlockiana

Watson appears in most non-canonical Sherlock Holmes stories. Notable appearances include Stephen King’s “The Doctor’s Case”, Neil Gaiman’s “A Study in Emerald”, Nicholas Meyer’s The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Manly Wade Wellman’s Sherlock Holmes’s War of the Worlds, and Lyndsay Faye’s Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr John H Watson.

Television

Watson appears in all or almost all television movies and television series based on Sherlock Holmes. Notable recent appearances include the modern adaptation Sherlock, in which he is played by Martin Freeman. He has elsewhere been played by such actors as Howard Marion-Crawford, Nigel Stock, and Donald Pickering, among numerous others.

Radio

There have been over 750 adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes stories to radio in English alone. Watson has been portrayed in these adaptations by such actors as Nigel Bruce, Ralph Richardson, Norman Shelley, Michael Williams and Chris Emmett.

Video Games

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

Watson appears in this game. He is played by Warren Green.

Sherlock Holmes: Secret of the Silver Earring

Watson appears as Holmes’ assistant. He is played by David Riley

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

David Riley reprises his role as Watson.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin

David Riley reprises his role.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper

David Riley reprises his role in this game which pits Holmes against Jack the Ripper.