Netflix Licensing ‘Watson’, ‘Seal Team’ & ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ in Surprise Paramount Deal

Amidst the heated bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery assets, Netflix has struck a significant new licensing deal with Paramount Global. The deal will bring approximately 20 shows to the service, including the hit reboot Matlock, Mayor of Kingstown, and Watson. 

The news was tucked away in Netflix’s Q4 2025 shareholder letter, released Tuesday alongside their earnings report. While the headlines have been dominated by Netflix’s aggressive cash bid for HBO and Warner Bros. studios, this side deal with rival Paramount Global Content Distribution continues a recent trend of bringing some of their titles from across their brands, like Paramount+, Showtime, and CBS, to Netflix. 

Internationally, for example, Netflix is the home to most of Taylor Sheridan’s titles, like Yellowstone, and its various spin-offs. Some Asian territories even picked up Landman season 1 at the top of the year.

Coming to Netflix US & International Territories

Three major dramas are set to touch down in both the United States and international regions.

Mayor of Kingstown

• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Cast: Jeremy Renner, Dianne Wiest, Hugh Dillon

Perhaps the biggest get in this package is the Taylor Sheridan-created hit, Mayor of Kingstown. Previously exclusive to Paramount+, the Jeremy Renner-led crime thriller wraps up its run with a fifth and final season this year.

The series follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Bringing a Taylor Sheridan property to Netflix domestically is a massive win, given the creator’s dominance in cable ratings with Yellowstone.

Watson

• Seasons: 1-2
• Genre: Medical / Mystery
• Cast: Morris Chestnut

Fresh off its CBS debut in early 2025, Watson is a modern reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes universe—minus Sherlock. Morris Chestnut stars as Dr. John Watson, who resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders a year after the death of his partner.

The series has performed solidly for CBS, and its addition to Netflix (both stateside and abroad) mirrors the “Netflix Effect” that recently turned shows like Tracker and So Help Me Todd into streaming juggernauts.

SEAL Team

• Genre: Military Drama
• Cast: David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot

After moving from CBS to Paramount+ for its final seasons, the military drama SEAL Team is finally making its way to Netflix. The show follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan, and execute the most dangerous, high-stakes missions.

This is a natural fit for Netflix’s audience, which has historically binged procedural dramas like S.W.A.T. and The Night Agent in huge numbers.

Coming to Netflix International Only

Two titles were singled out specifically for international regions (typically including the UK, Canada, Australia, and Latin America), though specific country availability may vary.

Matlock (2024 Reboot)

• Genre: Legal Drama
• Cast: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall

While the wording in the investor letter was brief, the mention of Matlock alongside current hits almost certainly refers to the smash-hit 2024 reboot starring Kathy Bates. The series, which features Bates as a brilliant septuagenarian who rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm (with a secret agenda), has been a ratings monster for CBS.

Note: While it is possible this refers to the classic Andy Griffith series, the context of the other “hit” acquisitions suggests international regions are getting the Kathy Bates version as a first-window or second-window exclusive.

The King of Queens

• Genre: Sitcom
• Cast: Kevin James, Leah Remini, Jerry Stiller

The only definitive “legacy” title mentioned in the highlights is the beloved sitcom The King of Queens. The series, which ran from 1998 to 2007, remains a syndication staple. It follows Doug Heffernan (Kevin James), a delivery driver in Queens, New York, who shares his home with his wife Carrie (Leah Remini) and her eccentric father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller).

We will keep you posted as soon as we have firm release dates for these Paramount titles. Likewise, we’ll also keep you posted on number of seasons that get added.

Which ones are you hoping to see in the coming months? Let us know in the comments.