Movies

Hollywood can ‘eat people and spit them out.’ Morris Chestnut refuses to be one of them

BBG News

For the record, Morris Chestnut is not a real doctor. He just plays one on TV.

In recent years, Chestnut has taken on various roles as medical professionals. He appeared as a trauma specialist in “Nurse Jackie” and later transitioned to the role of a pathologist in Fox’s series “Rosewood.

In the role of Barrett Cain on “The Resident” from Fox, his performance was exceptional. Audiences disliked him intensely, but Chestnut found it captivating.

As a passionate cinephile, I couldn’t help but notice a troubling trend: the hospital administrator seemed more preoccupied with the financial gains a patient would bring rather than their health, a fact he revealed with a sly chuckle. The audience adored my portrayal of the villain. They’d often approach me, saying, “You’re so ruthless.” I must admit, I relished that reaction.

Chestnut is leaving his past as a troublesome physician behind and embarking on a fresh career as a kind-hearted geneticist and internist in the CBS medical drama “Watson”. This revamped take on Sherlock Holmes lore sees him portray Dr. John Watson, who assumes leadership of an exclusive rare disorders clinic at a Pittsburgh hospital following Holmes’ demise.

For Chestnut, revamping the Watson character is not merely about enhancing his medical background. Since his impressive debut in “Boyz N the Hood” in 1991, he’s had a steady career. However, he has predominantly found himself in ensemble or supporting roles, many of which capitalized on his handsome appearance and athletic physique, often for romantic storylines.

“Watson” represents his hoped-for ascension into the ranks of leading man.

He noted that this was a notable achievement for him for several reasons. Although he’s had leading roles previously, as an actor, he feels he’s really finding his rhythm when it comes to the way he tackles his work. The chance to portray this character and do so on CBS is massive. Moreover, the fact that he gets to delve into the Sherlock Holmes mythology was something he hadn’t envisioned before.

CBS is giving a strong promotional push to “Watson.” Before its formal debut on February 16th, the network plans to air the drama on January 26th, immediately after the NFL playoffs have concluded.

In an email, Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, expressed that since we have great faith in the show, it’s appropriate to provide ‘Watson’ a prominent debut, right after the AFC Championship football game, which is known for being one of the most watched television events annually and has a history of launching popular series successfully. She described John Chestnut as a timeless, endearing leading actor, and his unique portrayal of the iconic doctor is daring, intelligent, and heroic.

The actor emphasized that “Watson” stands out among other medical dramas, explaining, “We’re not just doctors; we’re detectives.” He went on to say, “When patients visit our clinic, we don’t immediately solve the medical mystery. Instead, we delve into their personal lives, even venturing onto the streets. Essentially, Watson combines the medical aspect with the investigative style of Sherlock Holmes.

Chestnut was having breakfast at a Beverly Hills hotel and talking about a series with excitement. His look was similar to how he appeared in the first “The Best Man” movie from 1999, where he played a muscular football player, which made him very popular among fans.

He attributes his good looks to his vigilant health routine: “It’s a divine gift. Hollywood isn’t my entire life; it’s merely a part of it. It’s a challenging environment – both physically and emotionally. I’ve witnessed many people getting swallowed up by it. After work, I prefer unwinding at home rather than attending parties. Such activities can have a negative impact on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Chetnut, being an executive producer of “Watson,” instantly felt thrilled upon receiving the pilot script from showrunner Craig Sweeny. “It was incredibly powerful! It featured action, emotion, and wit, leaving you hanging at the edge of your seat, eager to see where the story would lead.” After meeting with Craig and understanding his vision for the series, Chetnut knew he had no choice but to become a part of the project.

Despite his enthusiasm for the part, he’s conscious of the fact that not everyone approves of a Black actor playing roles traditionally portrayed by white men. Previous interpretations of this character include Nigel Bruce, Robert Duvall, Jude Law, John C. Reilly, and Martin Freeman.

The move has sparked some disapproval on social media, echoing the reaction to the diverse casting decisions made for “The Little Mermaid” remake, “Star Wars,” and other popular franchises, which have been praised for promoting greater cultural representation.

Chestnut expressed his hesitation, especially considering our current circumstances, about discussing the topic at hand. He’s noticed some critical remarks concerning his portrayal of this character, and he prefers not to dwell on those criticisms. Instead, he hopes people can appreciate the character in its mythological context for who it truly is. He doesn’t want to draw attention to the criticism itself.

Even though it might have drawn fewer eyes a few years back, he admitted that his role could have generated less focus due to the surge of demands for fairness and diversity in the entertainment industry, following the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and their advocacy for greater representation in Hollywood.

Chestnut stated, “It would have been perfectly smooth, without a doubt. Nowadays, people often give a political twist to things they criticize. I’m pleased that ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Wicked’ have achieved great success. Throughout my entire career, I’ve focused solely on my work rather than external matters. It can be irritating to have to confront such issues, but here’s hoping we all find success.

Among the fresh batch of medical dramas gracing our screens this season, I’m particularly excited about “Watson.” Joining the ranks are NBC’s “Brilliant Minds,” Fox’s “Doc,” Max’s “The Pitt,” and ABC’s “Doctor Odyssey.” Of course, the veterans, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Chicago Med,” continue to captivate us as well.

In the clinic, Watson works alongside a team of brilliant young doctors, all specialized in uncommon illnesses. However, his personal life remains turbulent due to his lingering feelings for Dr. Mary Morstan, the hospital’s director and ex-wife (portrayed by Rochelle Aytes). Furthermore, Watson continues to be pursued by Holmes’ arch-enemy, Moriarty.

Chestnut expressed that he finds his energy not just in his own personal growth, but also in the development of other characters. He believes the audience will empathize deeply with these characters, making the show both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

Stepping into the shoes of a television critic, let me share my thoughts on this latest offering: “This new series represents the second revival of the iconic Holmes character on our screens, following the successful seven-year run of ‘Elementary’, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as the dynamic detective duo.

Sweeny, who worked on “Elementary” as an executive producer, mentioned that Morris Chestnut was among the actors he had in mind while creating the pilot for “Watson”. He praised Chestnut’s empathy and intelligence, stating that everyone in the industry has only positive things to say about him. Sweeny added that Chestnut is not only one of the kindest individuals he’s ever collaborated with but also an exceptional leader.

He was also impressed by a few of the actor’s previous portrayals of physicians.

In creating a medical drama, Sweeny explained that actors will need to navigate a vast sea of specialized medical terms. It requires dedication. Our goal is to ensure the accuracy of the science in every plot twist and turn, and this often involves using complex language. Morris shares our dedication to getting the scientific details correct on his end as well.

Speaking of acting, Chestnut noted that portraying a doctor is incredibly demanding, especially in a one-hour series. “The medical jargon is essentially an entirely new dialect,” he explained. “I need to understand the context behind my lines because I can’t simply alter words as I might in other roles. The terms and diagnoses must be precise and accurate to maintain authenticity, adding another dimension to my performance.

He’s thankful for the task at hand, especially given where he stands in his artistic journey right now. In John Singleton’s groundbreaking debut film, “Boyz N the Hood,” Chestnut portrayed Ricky Baker – a promising high school football star aiming to secure a college scholarship. Unfortunately, Ricky met a heart-wrenching fate when he was fatally shot by gang members.

Beyond kick-starting my career, that film has been instrumental in keeping it going strong. It wasn’t just an exceptional production, but it resonated deeply with audiences, connecting them to the character and ultimately to me. The bond remained even as I moved on to other projects. To this day, I continue to meet people who weren’t even born when the movie was released, yet they still recognize and appreciate my work.

Another noteworthy aspect is “The Best Man,” a romantic comedy by Malcolm D. Lee featuring college friends who experience a lively yet turbulent reunion when two of them decide to wed. This film contrasted the typical narrative of Black films during that period, as it centered around refined, affluent African American characters rather than focusing on strife in predominantly Black communities.

Among the actors from the original production who later achieved significant fame were Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Melissa De Sousa, and Chestnut. This group of stars came together for a follow-up film in 2013 titled “The Best Man Holiday,” and more recently, they returned for the 2022 Peacock limited series “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.

In the movie series, Chestnut portrayed Lance Sullivan, another prominent football player in “The Best Man Holiday”. This character was deeply affected when he discovered that his wife, Mia (played by Monica Calhoun), was battling cancer. As before, Chestnut commented, “The audience joined me on an emotional journey. That’s part of the reason I’ve been able to maintain my career.

Those films and subsequent projects have positioned him for the spotlight in “Watson,” he said.

He was deeply touched that they considered him for it,” he expressed. “All I desired was for the industry to acknowledge me, to spotlight me as the one they wanted.

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2025-01-26 14:32

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