At the premiere of *Watson*, fans were shocked to see Randall Park donning a polyester polo shirt as Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’ formidable enemy. The actor, best known for his comedic roles in “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Blockbuster,” turned his bright smile into an sinister grin as he revealed the surprise villain in the series.
Park expressed his delight at the turn: “It was thrilling to play a villain.” Despite previous roles in dark comedies like *The Interview* or *WandaVision*, Moriarty’s portrayal here is straight-up serious, with Park aiming for a relatable yet cunning portrayal.
With Watson heading Pittsburgh’s Holmes Clinic and Moriarty subtly lurking on the edges of his world, the series promises twists as the two clash on the streets of Pittsburgh. Chestnut, who plays Watson, noted that Park’s chemistry with Watson is already evident in their on-screen interactions.
The character, originally played by Sir Laurence Olivier for *The Seven-Per-Cent Solution* and Andrew Scott in *Sherlock*, has always been veiled in the series. Park credited the secrecy behind Moriarty’s role: “It wasn’t like Marvel-series secrecy,” he said. “But keeping the secret helped me find him each day.”
Moriarty will appear throughout *Watson* in various office-appropriate outfits, with Park teasing that even his shirts hint at his presence. The actor is also looking forward to a showdown between Watson and Moriarty by season’s end.
This unexpected turn for Park has already been embraced by fans, with Chestnut quipping about the little smirk in the finale hinting at more trouble ahead.
The reveal of Moriarty as an unlikely hero has added excitement to *Watson*’s already intriguing mix of mystery and humor, proving that even a seasoned actor like Park can tackle a serious role with flair.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/01/26/moriarty-on-watson-randall-park/77851076007