The 64th Monte-Carlo Television Festival will open with the highly anticipated French premiere of Watson, a new CBS Studios series starring Morris Chestnut, and will spotlight American actor Jaz Sinclair as this year’s recipient of the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent.
Announced on Thursday 15th May by Festival Managing Director Laurent Puons and Executive Director Cécile Menoni, the premiere screening and special award ceremony will take place during the Festival’s opening night on Friday 13th June at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.
The new drama Watson picks up six months after the death of Sherlock Holmes, thrusting Dr. John Watson back into the spotlight. Chestnut leads the cast as a reimagined Watson, now heading a clinic for rare disorders while facing the lingering shadow of Holmes’ greatest nemesis, Moriarty. Blending the intrigue of classic detective fiction with the intensity of a modern medical mystery, Watson promises to deliver an innovative twist on the legendary Holmes universe.
Executive produced by Craig Sweeny, who also serves as showrunner, the series features a high-profile ensemble including Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann and Rochelle Aytes. The first episode, written by Sweeny and directed by Larry Teng, will premiere immediately following the Festival’s Opening Ceremony.
Adding star power to the opening night is Jaz Sinclair, who will be presented with the Festival’s International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent. Known for her breakout role as Rosalind in Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and currently starring as Marie in Prime Video’s Gen V, Sinclair has earned acclaim for her fearless performances and growing international influence.
Her work in Gen V earned her multiple award nominations in 2024, including nods from the Black Reel Awards, the Critics Choice Super Awards, and the Gotham TV Awards.
In addition to her on-screen success, Sinclair is also gaining recognition as a musician under the name Jasimi, with her debut EP Bought Myself Daisies featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist.
Festival Executive Director Cécile Menoni praised the dual announcement, saying: “We’re extremely pleased to present the French premiere of Watson and welcome both Morris Chestnut and Craig Sweeny to Monaco. This standout series is the perfect way to launch our 64th edition. We’re equally thrilled to honour Jaz Sinclair with the Most Promising Talent award—her work is bold, dynamic and deserving of international recognition.”
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival runs from 13th to 17th June 2025.
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