Watchmen (TV series)

The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2019, 34 years after the events of the comic series. In the comic's alternate history of the 20th century, vigilantes, once seen as heroes, were outlawed due to their violent methods.

In 1985, Adrian Veidt, formerly known as the vigilante Ozymandias, launched a false flag attack on New York City by creating an alien-looking squid monster which would die with a devastating psychic scream, and teleporting it into a densely occupied area, which resulted in millions in the New York area being killed, forcing nations to work together against what they believed to be a common alien threat, averting world war and a nuclear holocaust. Veidt's actions horrified his former companions, with Rorschach planning to tell the world what really happened before being vaporized by Doctor Manhattan, who then left the planet. Unbeknownst to Manhattan, Rorschach had already sent his journal detailing the events to the local newspaper.

On Christmas Eve 2016, the Seventh Kavalry, a white supremacist group inspired by Rorschach's writings and masked image, attacked the homes of 40 police officers working for the Tulsa Police Department.{{cite web |last=Langmann |first=Brady |date=October 28, 2019 |title=Why the White Night Is a Chilling Turning Point in Watchmen's Alt-History |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a29612697/white-night-watchmen-hbo-show-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174630/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a29612697/white-night-watchmen-hbo-show-explained/ |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=Esquire}}

Of those who survived, only two stayed with the force: Detective Angela Abar and Police Chief Judd Crawford.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2019/10/27/20934540/watchmen-season-1-episode-2-recap-review-explained |title=Take a close look at Watchmen episode 2 |first=Eric |last=Thurm |date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019 |work=Polygon |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174735/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2019/10/27/20934540/watchmen-season-1-episode-2-recap-review-explained |url-status=live}} As the police force was rebuilt, laws were passed that required police to not disclose their profession and to protect their identities while on the job by wearing masks, which included allowing for costumed police officers.

In 2019, Crawford's police force attempts to crack down on the Seventh Kavalry, Abar finds herself at the center of two competing plots to kidnap Doctor Manhattan, who has been working with Hooded Justice, the original masked hero and survivor of the Tulsa massacre.

{{Main|List of Watchmen characters}}

{{multiple image

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| footer = The principal cast for Watchmen includes (top row, left to right) Regina King, Don Johnson, Jean Smart, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, (bottom row, left to right) Tim Blake Nelson, Hong Chau, Louis Gossett Jr., and Jeremy Irons.

| image1 = Regina King by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| image2 = Don Johnson TIFF 2019.jpg

| image3 = Jean Smart by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| image4 = Yahya Abdul-Mateen II by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| image5 = Tim Blake Nelson 2016.jpg

| image6 = Hong Chau 2016 cropped.jpg

| image7 = Louis Gossett Jr. (Guadalajara Film Festival) 2.jpg

| image8 = SDCC 2015 - Jeremy Irons (19524260758) (cropped).jpg

}}

• Regina King as Angela Abar / Sister Night, a Tulsa Police detective who wears a nun's habit and a balaclava. Faithe Herman portrays a young Angela Abar.
• Don Johnson{{efn|name=johnson|Johnson is credited with the main cast in the first and sixth episodes and is credited as a guest star in episodes two and seven.}} as Judd Crawford, the chief of the Tulsa Police.
• Tim Blake Nelson as Wade Tillman / Looking Glass, a Tulsa Police detective who wears a reflective mask. Phil Labes portrays a teenage Wade.
• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Cal Abar, Angela's husband who is revealed to be a form of Jonathan Osterman / Doctor Manhattan. Darrell Snedeger portrays Manhattan's original form in a portrait at Laurie Blake's apartment and Zak Rothera-Oxley portrays a young Jon Osterman.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-season-1-episode-7-an-almost-religious-awe-explained-1258567 |title='Watchmen': Damon Lindelof Explains That "Religious" Reveal |first=Josh |last=Wigler |date=December 1, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202191706/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-season-1-episode-7-an-almost-religious-awe-explained-1258567 |url-status=live}}
• Andrew Howard as Red Scare, a Tulsa Police detective who wears a predominantly red outfit and speaks with a Russian accent.
• Jacob Ming-Trent as Panda, a Tulsa Police detective who wears a full giant panda mask.
• Tom Mison as Mr. Phillips, a series of male clones of the original Mr. Phillips, created by Doctor Manhattan to serve as Veidt's servants.
• Mison also portrays the Game Warden, a mysterious and powerful clone of the original Mr. Phillips who keeps Veidt in line and serves as his archenemy.
• Sara Vickers as Ms. Crookshanks, a series of female clones of the original Mrs. Crookshanks created by Doctor Manhattan to serve as Veidt's servants.
• Dylan Schombing as Topher Abar,{{cite web |url=https://www.hbo.com/watchmen/cast-and-crew/ |title=Watchemen Cast & Crew |website=HBO |access-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174630/https://www.hbo.com/watchmen/cast-and-crew/ |url-status=live}} Angela's and Cal's adopted son whose biological parents, the Doyles, were killed on the White Night.
• Louis Gossett Jr. as Will Reeves, Angela's grandfather, formerly known as Hooded Justice, the first masked hero who inspired the Minutemen. Jovan Adepo portrays a young Will Reeves.
• Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt, a former businessman and the vigilante Ozymandias, the "smartest man in the world". He is now living as an aristocratic lord of a country manor that is revealed to be on Europa.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/hbo-watchmen-jeremy-irons-ozymandias-confirmed-accidentally/ |title=HBO's Watchmen Accidentally Confirms Jeremy Irons Is Playing Ozymandias |website=Screen Rant |first=Scott |last=Baird |date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174622/https://screenrant.com/hbo-watchmen-jeremy-irons-ozymandias-confirmed-accidentally/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2019/10/20/20919076/hbo-watchmen-episode-1-cast-jeremy-irons-ozymandias-adrien-veidt-comic-explained |title=Ozymandias is the most important character in Watchmen |first=Susana |last=Polo |date=October 20, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |work=Polygon |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2019/10/20/20919076/hbo-watchmen-episode-1-cast-jeremy-irons-ozymandias-adrien-veidt-comic-explained |url-status=live}}
• Jean Smart as Laurie Blake, formerly the second Silk Spectre, who has since become an FBI agent and member of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/watchmen-hbo-timeline-explained-rorschachs-journal/ |title=New Watchmen Site Fascinatingly Fills in the Gaps Between 1985 and 2019 |website=Collider |first=Vinnie |last=Mancuso |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104232910/https://collider.com/watchmen-hbo-timeline-explained-rorschachs-journal/ |url-status=live}}
• Hong Chau as Lady Trieu, the owner of Trieu Industries, a corporation that bought out Veidt Enterprises following news of his death, and later revealed to be Veidt's daughter by artificial insemination.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-lady-trieu-hong-chau-explained-1253706 |title='Watchmen': How a New Enigmatic Force Plans to "Save the World" |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Josh |last=Wigler |date=November 10, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-lady-trieu-hong-chau-explained-1253706 |url-status=live}} Trieu's name is inspired by Vietnamese historical legend Lady Triệu.{{cite web |url=https://www.salon.com/2019/11/11/watchmen-vietnam-mysteries-lady-trieu-easter-eggs-veterans-day-hbo/ |title=In "Watchmen," just as in real life, feelings about Vietnam remain uncertain |website=Salon |first=Hanh |last=Nguyen |date=November 11, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306145352/https://www.salon.com/2019/11/11/watchmen-vietnam-mysteries-lady-trieu-easter-eggs-veterans-day-hbo/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a29743299/watchmen-lady-trieu-hong-chau/ |title=Lady Trieu is Only Latest Stunning Role for Watchmen Star Hong Chau |website=Men's Health |first=Evan |last=Romano |date=November 11, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306151613/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a29743299/watchmen-lady-trieu-hong-chau/ |url-status=live}}

• James Wolk as Joe Keene Jr., a senator and leader of the Seventh Kavalry who aims to become president. His father is responsible for the Keene Act banning masked vigilantism.
• Frances Fisher as Jane Crawford, Judd's wife{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/hbos-watchmen-tv-series-2019-plot-cast-reviews/ |title=HBO's Watchmen TV series: Everything you need to know |website=CNET |first=Jennifer |last=Bisset |date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174649/https://www.cnet.com/news/hbos-watchmen-tv-series-2019-plot-cast-reviews/ |url-status=live}} who is a member of the Seventh Kavalry.
• Jessica Camacho as Pirate Jenny, a member of the Tulsa police who wears a pirate-inspired outfit
• Adelynn Spoon as Emma Abar, Angela and Cal's younger adopted daughter.
• Lily Rose Smith as Rosie Abar, Angela and Cal's older adopted daughter.
• Steven G. Norfleet as O. B. Williams, the late father of Will Reeves and great-grandfather of Angela Abar.
• Alexis Louder as Ruth Williams, the late mother of Will Reeves and great-grandmother of Angela Abar.
• Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Bian, a young clone of Trieu's mother passed off as her daughter.
• Elyse Dinh portrays Trieu's mother, the original Bian as an adult.

• Dustin Ingram as Agent Dale Petey, an FBI agent who joins Laurie in investigating a murder in Tulsa. He is secretly a vigilante known as Lube Man.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-damon-lindelof-watchmen-score-emmys-1049758/ |title=See Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Break Down 'Watchmen' Interrogation Scene |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |date=September 18, 2020 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174633/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-damon-lindelof-watchmen-score-emmys-1049758/ |url-status=live}}
• Cheyenne Jackson as an actor portraying Hooded Justice on American Hero Story.
• Henry Louis Gates Jr. as himself, in the position of Secretary of the Treasury.
• Jim Beaver as Andy, the Doyle children's paternal grandfather.
• Lee Tergesen as Mister Shadow, a vigilante who is drawn out by Laurie Blake.
• David Andrews as Deputy Director Max Farragut, Laurie Blake and Dale Petey's superior.
• Michael Imperioli as himself, appearing in an advertisement for New York City.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2019/11/hbos-watchmen-features-nj-in-key-scene-plus-cameo-from-sopranos-actor.html |title=HBO's Watchmen features N.J. in key scene, plus cameo from 'Sopranos' actor |first=Amy |last=Kuperinsky |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=November 18, 2019 |work=NJ.com |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174633/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2019/11/hbos-watchmen-features-nj-in-key-scene-plus-cameo-from-sopranos-actor.html |url-status=live}}
• Chris Whitley as an actor who portrays Captain Metropolis in American Hero Story.
• Eileen Grubba as Cynthia Bennett, Wade's ex-wife.
• Paula Malcomson as Renee, a radiologist who is a member of the Seventh Kavalry.
• Jake McDorman as Nelson Gardner / Captain Metropolis, one of the founding members of the New Minutemen.
• Glenn Fleshler as Fred, a racist shopkeeper who runs afoul of Will.
• Danielle Deadwyler as June, Will's wife and Angela's grandmother who works as a reporter. Valeri Ross portrays an older June.
• Anthony Hill as Marcus Abar, the father of Angela Abar who is killed by a suicide bomber.
• Devyn A. Taylor as Elise Abar, the mother of Angela Abar who is killed by a suicide bomber.
• Ted Johnson as Joe Keene Sr., the senator who passed the Keene Act, father of Joe Keene Jr., and member of Cyclops.

{{Episode table |background=#FFEF00 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |country=U.S. |viewers= |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice

|DirectedBy = Nicole Kassell

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|20}}

|ProdCode = 101

|Viewers = 0.799{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-20-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.20.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=October 22, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022142108/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-20-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = During Tulsa's Black Wall Street massacre in 1921, a black child loses his parents O.B. and Ruth in the chaos and escorts an orphaned baby to safety. Ninety-eight years later, masked Officer Charlie Sutton is hospitalized after being shot by a member of the Seventh Kavalry, a white supremacist group. Chief Judd Crawford calls for retaliation to hunt down the shooter. Angela Abar hears of the shooting and hunts down a suspect under her secret persona, Sister Night. With help from another costumed officer, Wade Tillman / Looking Glass, Angela elicits the shooter's location at a cattle ranch used by the Kavalry. Angela, Judd, and other officers hunt them down, instigating a shootout that results in the deaths of all Kavalry members present, including the shooter. Later, Judd runs over a spike strip while driving to the hospital to visit Sutton. Angela receives a call from someone who instructs her to find something at a countryside tree. She heads to the location and finds an elderly black man in a wheelchair below a hanged Judd. Meanwhile, an old lord living at an unspecified country estate writes a play called The Watchmaker's Son and celebrates an "anniversary" with his two servants.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship

|DirectedBy = Nicole Kassell

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof & Nick Cuse

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|27}}

|ProdCode = 102

|Viewers = 0.765{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-27-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.27.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=October 29, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910152517/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-27-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = In World War I, O.B., a soldier in the American army, pockets a piece of German propaganda challenging their racial equality. In the present, Angela takes the elderly man she found under the tree to her hideout. He says his name is Will and claims to be her grandfather, which she later validates. The police round up several suspects from Nixonville on suspicion of Judd's lynching. Will warns Angela of Judd's duplicity, which she initially doubts. During Judd's wake however, while searching his house, she discovers a Ku Klux Klan outfit in a secret closet. She asks Will how he knew, to no avail, so she arrests him. As she places him in her car, a flying craft drops an electromagnet and takes the vehicle away with Will inside, dropping the propaganda his father had given him. Meanwhile, the lord watches his servants Mr. Phillips and Ms. Crookshanks perform his play: a retelling of Doctor Manhattan's origins. The lord incinerates Phillips as part of the play and names one of his other servants—apparent clones of Phillips and Crookshanks—the new "Mr. Phillips".

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = She Was Killed by Space Junk

|DirectedBy = Stephen Williams

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof & Lila Byock

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|3}}

|ProdCode = 103

|Viewers = 0.648{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-3-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.3.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=November 5, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910152517/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-3-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = After faking a bank robbery to draw out the vigilante Mister Shadow, Agent Laurie Blake of the FBI's Anti-Vigilante Task Force is asked by both the FBI and Senator Joe Keene Jr. to investigate Judd's murder. Laurie tracks down the Tulsa police rounding up Kavalry suspects and learns about Judd's funeral, where she makes contact with Angela. A Kavalry member wearing a suicide vest attempts to seize Joe, but Laurie kills him while Angela saves the other attendees. Later, Laurie talks to Angela, discussing the wheelchair treads at Judd's lynching and Judd's secret closet; warning her not to protect Judd. That night, Laurie uses a special phone booth to tell Doctor Manhattan a "brick joke" while he is on Mars. As she leaves, Angela's empty car drops in front of her. She looks up, sees Mars, and laughs. Meanwhile, the lord unsuccessfully tests a protective suit with a Phillips clone. He hunts down a bison for its thicker hide, but is stopped by the "Game Warden", who later writes to remind him of the terms of his imprisonment. The lord responds in a letter acknowledging these terms, signing it as Adrian Veidt and goes out to hunt again in his Ozymandias outfit.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = If You Don't Like My Story, Write Your Own

|DirectedBy = Andrij Parekh

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof & Christal Henry

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|10}}

|ProdCode = 104

|Viewers = 0.707{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-10-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.10.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=November 12, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112151958/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-10-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = Lady Trieu buys out the farmland of an Oklahoma couple just moments before an object from space crashes onto their property to claim ownership of it. Angela learns about Will's parents at the heritage center, when she hears her car crash outside and meets Laurie, finding a pill bottle inside. Later, Angela leaves the pill bottle and Judd's KKK outfit with Wade, and fails to capture an unknown vigilante who witnessed her dispose of Will's wheelchair. Laurie finds Will's fingerprints in Angela's car, as well as a connection to Trieu's facility at the Millennium Clock. Trieu provides them with a list of people with access to new lightweight drones, and in Vietnamese, tells Angela that Will wonders if she got the pill bottle. That evening, Trieu talks to Will about being upfront with Angela, but with events to come to a head in a few days, he would rather she figure it out herself. Meanwhile, Veidt collects fetuses from a lake to grow new clones of Phillips and Crookshanks after killing off all of the existing ones. With their help, Veidt launches the dead bodies with a catapult to test the limits of his prison.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Little Fear of Lightning

|DirectedBy = Steph Green

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof & Carly Wray

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|17}}

|ProdCode = 105

|Viewers = 0.752{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-17-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.17.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=November 19, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120231656/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-17-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = Wade suffers PTSD as a survivor of Veidt's 1985 squid attack. Laurie bugs Wade's desk, and learns that Angela asked him about the pills. Wade's ex-wife, Cynthia, tells him the pills are Nostalgia, which contain other people's memories. The Kavalry lure Wade to a warehouse, where they are testing a teleportation portal. Joe explains both he and Judd are Kavalry members trying to keep them in check. Joe coerces Wade's help to learn what Angela knows about Judd's death after showing him a video Veidt made a day before the 1985 attack and addressed to future President Redford, explaining his long-term plan; shaking Wade to his core. At the station the next day, Wade gets Angela to state that her grandfather was behind Judd's death. Laurie hears this and arrests Angela, but not before she ingests the pills. Wade returns home after work and Kavalry members arrive with guns. It is revealed that Veidt's prison is on a moon of Jupiter as he arranges servants' frozen bodies to spell out "Save Me" so they will be visible to a passing space probe. However, he is pulled back into the prison and arrested by the Game Warden.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = This Extraordinary Being

|DirectedBy = Stephen Williams

|WrittenBy = Damon Lindelof & Cord Jefferson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|24}}

|ProdCode = 106

|Viewers = 0.620{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-24-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.24.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=November 26, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224092911/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-11-24-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = Laurie tries to get Angela to agree to treatment before the Nostalgia kicks in, but the latter starts experiencing her grandfather's memories. In 1938, Will joins the New York Police Department, which is rife with racism. After discovering a plot called "Cyclops", his fellow white officers beat him and hang him from a tree, cutting him down at the last moment to warn him not to interfere in white affairs. While walking home, he puts back on the hood the white police had put on him when they hanged him, and he fights off men attacking a young couple. He is called a hero the next day and, supported by his wife June, he takes on the persona of "Hooded Justice". Will is invited to join the Minutemen by Captain Metropolis and begins an affair with him while June becomes pregnant. When Will finds that "Cyclops" is a plan by the KKK to hypnotize black people to incite riots among themselves, Will asks for the Minutemen's help in foiling the plot, but Captain Metropolis refuses. Enraged, Will dismantles the operation on his own, killing all involved. June, shocked by Will's consuming anger, leaves him and takes their son "home" to Tulsa. In the near-present, Will uses a modified form of the hypnotic technology to make Judd hang himself. Angela wakes up in Trieu's compound, and finds that Trieu has been treating her for the Nostalgia overdose.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = An Almost Religious Awe

|DirectedBy = David Semel

|WrittenBy = Stacy Osei-Kuffour & Claire Kiechel

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|12|1}}

|ProdCode = 107

|Viewers = 0.779{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-1-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.1.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=December 4, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204152230/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-1-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = Angela continues to be treated for the Nostalgia as her memories of losing her parents and her grandmother June in Vietnam mingled with Will's. She also learns that the Manhattan phone booths supposedly connected to Mars route to Trieu's facilities before Trieu herself says that Manhattan is on Earth, in Tulsa, disguised as a human. After learning of the Kavalry's plan to destroy Manhattan to become like him and restore white supremacy, Trieu plans to activate the Millennium Clock within the hour to save the world. Angela breaks free, rushes home, and tells Cal she loves him as a husband – calling him by the name Jon – before bashing his head in and pulling out a small disc shaped like Manhattan's symbol, causing his body to glow blue. Laurie goes to speak to Jane Crawford about her husband's death, but falls into a trap door and is taken to the Kavalry's headquarters. Laurie's partner Petey tries to track down Wade, finding his fallout shelter filled with dead Kavalrymen, but no sign of him. Meanwhile, Veidt is put on a year-long trial by the Game Warden, which he treats as a farce.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = A God Walks into Abar

|DirectedBy = Nicole Kassell

|WrittenBy = Jeff Jensen & Damon Lindelof

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|12|8}}

|ProdCode = 108

|Viewers = 0.822{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-8-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.8.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=December 10, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210155046/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-8-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = In Vietnam 2009, Doctor Manhattan approaches Angela and convinces her that he is not an impostor by creating an egg out of thin air. He attempts to convince Angela to have dinner with him the next night, as they will fall in love later. Angela is skeptical, but Manhattan, after explaining his non-linear experience with time, reveals that he had been creating life on Europa since 1985, and that in 2019, he will fall in love with her just as he is about to be taken by the Seventh Kavalry. He explains how he took up the identity of Cal to blend in, and used a device created by Veidt to give himself amnesia about his true identity until it was necessary for Angela to remove it. At Veidt's request, Manhattan transported him to Europa, and also visited Will to encourage him to help Angela in 2019. Angela, speaking to Manhattan in 2019, asks him to ask Will in 2009 how he knew of Judd's secrets, but realizes she gave that idea to Will just now. As the Kavalry prepare to attack, Angela goes to protect Manhattan, who sees this as the moment he fell in love with her, and helps her fend them off; knowing one last Kavalry member remained alive to use a tachyon cannon to capture him. In 2009, Angela accepts Manhattan's dinner proposal. In a post-credits scene, the Game Warden gives a captive Veidt another anniversary cake. Veidt finds a horseshoe baked inside and gleefully starts digging an escape tunnel.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = See How They Fly

|DirectedBy = Frederick E.O. Toye

|WrittenBy = Nick Cuse & Damon Lindelof

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|12|15}}

|ProdCode = 109

|Viewers = 0.935{{cite web |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-15-2019.html |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.15.2019 |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=December 17, 2019 |work=Showbuzz Daily |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170020/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-15-2019.html |url-status=dead}}

|ShortSummary = Veidt, having written "Save Me Daughter" on Europa, is picked up in Trieu's spacecraft. Trieu wants her father and Bian, a clone of her mother, present when she activates a machine she developed to steal Manhattan's power for herself. The Kavalry, working with the Cyclops leaders, capture Manhattan while Joe prepares to take his powers. Laurie discovers Wade is alive, disguised as a Kavalry member. Just as the Kavalry activate their system, Trieu teleports the setup to downtown Tulsa, finding Joe has dissolved into ooze, and kills the Cyclops leaders. Before Trieu kills him, Manhattan uses the distraction to teleport Veidt, Laurie, and Wade to Karnak, where Veidt reworks his squid-rain system to send frozen squid to pulverize Trieu's device; killing Trieu in the process. Angela takes shelter in the theater where Will and her children are, where Will explains Manhattan had worked with him to bring about this necessary conclusion. Laurie and Wade bring Veidt to justice using a copy of the 1985 video. While cleaning up eggs from the night before, Angela recalls Manhattan's statement about transferring his powers through an organic medium. Finding one unbroken egg, Angela eats it and attempts to walk on water as she saw Manhattan do the night before.

|LineColor = FFEF00

}}

}}

Rumors of a potential Watchmen television series adaptation first came about in October 2015, with HBO in preliminary discussions with Zack Snyder, director of the 2009 Watchmen film.{{cite web |last1=Trumbore |first1=Dave |title=Exclusive: HBO Eyeing 'Watchmen' TV Series from Zack Snyder |url=http://collider.com/watchmen-tv-series-hbo-zack-snyder/ |website=Collider |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010010044/http://collider.com/watchmen-tv-series-hbo-zack-snyder/ |archive-date=October 10, 2015 |url-status=live}} HBO later confirmed that they were seeking to develop a Watchmen series in November 2015.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=HBO Confirms "Preliminary Discussions" For Watchmen TV Series |url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/watchmen-tv-series-hbo-discussions-1201564953/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185301/https://deadline.com/2015/10/watchmen-tv-series-hbo-discussions-1201564953/ |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}

File:Damon Lindelof by Gage Skidmore 3 (cropped).jpg

By June 2017, HBO had begun negotiations with Damon Lindelof, as Snyder was no longer involved with the production.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Damon Lindelof Eyeing An Adaptation Of Watchmen For HBO |url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/damon-lindelof-adaptation-watchmen-hbo-1202117245/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105230459/https://deadline.com/2017/06/damon-lindelof-adaptation-watchmen-hbo-1202117245/ |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |url-status=live}} According to Lindelof, he had been long interested in making a Watchmen work since he read the comic as a teenager, and had been approached to write it at least twice before, but rejected the offers as they came out shortly following Snyder's film and felt he could not improve on that. In the interim, he developed the HBO series The Leftovers that ran from 2014 to 2017. The Leftovers was met with high acclaim, and led to yet another offer to write a Watchmen series, which Lindelof then accepted.

Writing for the series started on September 19, 2017.{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |title=Damon Lindelof Teases Start Of Watchmen Series At HBO |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/damon-lindelof-watchmen-hbo-television-series-alan-moore-dave-gibbons-1202173526/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=September 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328165323/https://deadline.com/2017/09/damon-lindelof-watchmen-hbo-television-series-alan-moore-dave-gibbons-1202173526/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |url-status=live}} The following day, HBO officially greenlit the production for a pilot and additional backup scripts as well.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen HBO Adaptation From Damon Lindelof Officially A Go With Pilot & Backup Script Order |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/watchmen-hbo-pilot-order-damon-lindelof-backup-scripts-1202174167/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=September 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029121824/https://deadline.com/2017/09/watchmen-hbo-pilot-order-damon-lindelof-backup-scripts-1202174167/ |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |url-status=live}} Nicole Kassell was announced as the director and executive producer for the Lindelof pilot on January 30, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen: Nicole Kassell To Direct HBO Pilot From Damon Lindelof |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/watchmen-nicole-kassell-to-direct-hbo-pilot-damon-lindelof-1202274631/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190328115728/https://deadline.com/2018/01/watchmen-nicole-kassell-to-direct-hbo-pilot-damon-lindelof-1202274631/ |archive-date= March 28, 2019 |url-status= live}} The pilot was filmed around June 2018 in locations around Atlanta, Georgia.

On August 17, 2018, HBO greenlit a full season of Watchmen, scheduling the premiere in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |title=Watchmen Is A Go: Damon Lindelof's Pilot Picked Up To Series By HBO |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/damon-lindelof-watchmen-pilot-picked-up-series-hbo-1202447586/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=August 17, 2018 |date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404031724/https://deadline.com/2018/08/damon-lindelof-watchmen-pilot-picked-up-series-hbo-1202447586/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live}} Due to the time between filming the pilot and the remaining episodes, a new production crew had been brought on board, and Kassell remained the director for the second episode to provide necessary continuity.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/8/21002009/watchmen-episode-8-director-nicole-kassell-eddies-bar-easter-eggs-doctor-manhattan-reveal |title=Watchmen director Nicole Kassell on staging the perfect Doctor Manhattan reveal |first=Tasha |last=Robinson |date=December 8, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2019 |work=Polygon |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174647/https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/8/21002009/watchmen-episode-8-director-nicole-kassell-eddies-bar-easter-eggs-doctor-manhattan-reveal |url-status=live}} The series' premiere date, October 20, 2019, was announced on September 3, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/watchmen-debut-date-hbo-regina-king-damon-lindelof-alan-moore-comic-1202709755/ |title=Watchmen Gets Official Late October Debut Date From HBO |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Dominic |last=Patten |date=September 3, 2019 |access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903174146/https://deadline.com/2019/09/watchmen-debut-date-hbo-regina-king-damon-lindelof-alan-moore-comic-1202709755/|archive-date=September 3, 2019|url-status=live}}

The show's credits identify the work as based on characters co-created by Dave Gibbons, who along with Alan Moore created the Watchmen comic. Due to multiple disputes with DC Comics and the producers of previous films, Moore has asked for his name to be no longer associated with any film production of his works from that period, including for the Watchmen film.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/alan_moore_asks_for_an_alan_smithee/ |title=Alan Moore Asks for an Alan Smithee |last=Spurgeon |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Spurgeon |date=November 9, 2005 |work=The Comics Reporter |access-date=January 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124004336/http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/alan_moore_asks_for_an_alan_smithee/ |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |url-status = live}} Gibbons, however, was an active contributor to the show, providing illustrations in the same style as the original comic series.{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/every-last-watchmen-easter-egg-and-reference-in-episode-8-of-the-hbo-show |title=Every Last Watchmen Easter Egg And Reference In Episode 8 Of The Hbo Show |first=James |last=Grebey |date=December 8, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2019 |work=Syfy |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/every-last-watchmen-easter-egg-and-reference-in-episode-8-of-the-hbo-show |url-status=live}} Lindelof tried to reach out to Moore to get his blessing for the show, but was rebuffed.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/25/hbos-watchmen-silk-spectre-jean-smart-confirmed-alan-moore-comic-canon-robert-redford |title=HBO's Watchmen: Jean Smart Confirmed as Silk Spectre in Damon Lindelof Series |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |work=IGN |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174626/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/25/hbos-watchmen-silk-spectre-jean-smart-confirmed-alan-moore-comic-canon-robert-redford |url-status=live}} In 2022, Moore claimed Lindelof had sent him a letter that he described as "neurotic rambling", including Lindelof identifying himself as "one of the bastards currently destroying Watchmen". Moore said he replied with a request to not contact him as he did not wish to be associated with the adaptation.{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title='Watchmen' Creator Alan Moore Disowned HBO's 'Watchmen,' Told Showrunner Never to Contact Him: 'This Is Embarrassing to Me' |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/alan-moore-disowned-hbo-watchmen-told-showrunner-dont-contact-me-1235407266/ |website=Variety |access-date=October 20, 2022 |date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019151632/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/alan-moore-disowned-hbo-watchmen-told-showrunner-dont-contact-me-1235407266/ |url-status=live}}

{{external media|image1=[https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFsj6JHEdq/ Damon Lindelof's open letter to Watchmen fans] on creating the television series, posted to Instagram on May 22, 2018}}

Lindelof stated that his vision for the series was to be a "remix" of the comic series. While the show is a sequel to the comic, he wanted to make a story of his own that felt part of that universe without creating a reboot, and made sure that this was apparent from the first episode.{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/18/damon-lindelof-watchmen-interview/ |title=Damon Lindelof gives his first deep-dive interview for HBO's Watchmen |first=James |last=Hibbard |date=September 18, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008110634/https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/18/damon-lindelof-watchmen-interview/ |url-status=live}} He affirmed this idea in an open letter to fans posted on May 22, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |title=Damon Lindelof's Open Letter To Watchmen Fans Says HBO Adaptation Will Be An Original Story |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/damon-lindelof-watchmen-open-letter-hbo-series-1202396090/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190322100936/https://deadline.com/2018/05/damon-lindelof-watchmen-open-letter-hbo-series-1202396090/ |archive-date= March 22, 2019 |url-status= live}}

One of the first challenges for Lindelof was determining what the focus of the narrative would be. He considered that at the time the original Watchmen comic was released, it reflected on the public anxiety over the ongoing Cold War. In looking for a similar anxiety for contemporary times, Lindelof determined that racial tensions posed the same type of larger picture that would work well for the Watchmen universe, since it presented both historical and present conflicts. He also felt "to not tell a story about race in the context of a political text in 2019 almost felt borderline irresponsible".{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/22/771998690/watchmen-creator-damon-lindelof-not-talking-about-race-felt-irresponsible |title='Watchmen' Creator Damon Lindelof: Not Talking About Race Felt 'Irresponsible' |first=Noel |last=King |date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174636/https://www.npr.org/2019/10/22/771998690/watchmen-creator-damon-lindelof-not-talking-about-race-felt-irresponsible |url-status=live}} Establishing racism as a central theme, Lindelof assembled a purposely-diverse writing staff, with half the writers being black, and half being female, to help provide proper perspective towards these issues.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/hooded-justice-watchmen-hbo.html |title=Who Is Hooded Justice? Watchmen Has a Stunning Answer. |first=Angela Jade |last=Bastian |date=November 24, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |work=Vulture |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174645/https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/hooded-justice-watchmen-hbo.html |url-status=live}}

File:TulsaRaceRiot-1921.png in the Greenwood district, which resulted in the deaths of over 150 black people, was a central moment in Watchmen{{'}}s narrative.]]

Lindelof opted to open the pilot on the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, an event that he became aware of after reading The Atlantic article "The Case for Reparations" written by Ta-Nehisi Coates in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/ |title=The Case for Reparations |first=Ta-Nehisi |last=Coates |date=June 2014 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |work=The Atlantic |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020210518/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/ |url-status=live}} Lindelof, curious about the massacre, found there was very little information about it, and strove to learn more.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/21/watchmen-tulsa-massacre-1921-riot-oklahoma-real-history |title=Why Watchmen's Damon Lindelof Used the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 as a Backdrop |first=Scott |last=Cullera |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |work=IGN |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022010804/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/21/watchmen-tulsa-massacre-1921-riot-oklahoma-real-history |url-status=live}} Many aspects of the plot center on the legacy of the graphic novel and the event.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/watchmen-recreates-tulsa-massacre-1921-exposing-viewers-ugly-chapter-n1069426 |title='Watchmen' recreates the Tulsa massacre of 1921, exposing viewers to an ugly chapter |last=Arkin |first=Daniel |date=October 21, 2019 |work=NBC News |language=en |url-status=live |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217132341/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/watchmen-recreates-tulsa-massacre-1921-exposing-viewers-ugly-chapter-n1069426}} This was around the time that he had been approached again to write for the Watchmen series, and felt the massacre and its implication for the alternate reality's present would provide an equivalent factor that the Doomsday Clock had been for the original comic series, and used racial conflict as a central element of the series. He believed it would also help more people learn about the 1921 event, and made sure it was represented accurately, including the representation in how aerial attacks were used to bombard the Greenwood district.{{r|IGN 2019/10/21}}

Lindelof had conceived of Angela as the central character that everything revolves around, with the discovery that her grandfather Will, a black man, was one of the first costumed heroes, Hooded Justice, shown only in a few panels from the original comics. Hooded Justice's identity was never established in the original comic series, and Lindelof's suggestion that he was a black man created a challenge for the writers. One of the first tasks the writing staff had was to determine how Will would become Hooded Justice, effectively establishing the plot to the sixth episode "This Extraordinary Being". To further tie to the comic series, the writing staff only considered using the established characters that would best serve Angela's story so that she would remain the focus. To that end, they had established that characters like Doctor Manhattan, Laurie Blake, and Adrian Veidt were necessary to support Angela's discovery of her legacy. They had considered including Dan Dreiberg, the second Nite Owl, as well, but Lindelof wanted to have a fair balance of old and new characters within the show, and felt that adding Dan would have tipped the balance too far away from the new characters. They did consider Dan's fate as part of the "Peteypedia" additional materials created by the show's writers, in which Dan remains in prison after he and Laurie were arrested for vigilantism in the past, and refusing to accept the FBI's offer to work with them as Laurie had done.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/why-dan-dreiberg-isnt-in-watchmen-hbo/ |title=Damon Lindelof Explains Why Dan Dreiberg Wasn't in Watchmen |first=Matt |last=Goldberg |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=Collider |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174642/https://collider.com/why-dan-dreiberg-isnt-in-watchmen-hbo/ |url-status=live}}

Lindelof used his experience from his past shows to plot out the season prior to writing, stating "What I've learned over time is you need to know the answers to the mysteries...If you don't know those, you're lost. Every time you come to an intersection, you won't know whether to turn left or right."{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/watchmen-damon-lindelof-behind-the-scenes-1203436108/ |title=How Watchmen Pulled Off One of the Best TV Seasons of the Decade |first=Adam |last=Vary |date=December 13, 2019 |access-date=December 13, 2019 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174628/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/watchmen-damon-lindelof-behind-the-scenes-1203436108/ |url-status=live}} The writers had established some of the season's key mysteries in writing for the pilot, such as Hooded Justice being Will Reeves and Cal being Doctor Manhattan, but how these were to be revealed to the characters in the show and the audience came later in the writing process. Ten episodes were planned for the first season. After completing the sixth episode, "This Extraordinary Being", Lindelof felt the story was closer to its ending rather than as a midpoint, and that if they continued for four additional episodes, one of them would have been filler, and instead opted to conclude the story with three episodes. The omitted episode would have likely covered more of Lady Trieu's backstory, according to Lindelof, though it would not have been exclusively devoted to that topic. Instead, some of this material was covered in conversations within the seventh episode "An Almost Religious Awe".{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/why-watchmen-was-9-episodes-instead-of-10/ |title=Damon Lindelof Explains Why Watchmen Was Shortened to 9 Episodes Instead of the Original 10 |first=Adam |last=Chitwood |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=Collider |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174638/https://collider.com/why-watchmen-was-9-episodes-instead-of-10/ |url-status=live}}

A show-within-the-show, American Hero Story, was used to tell the purported backstory of Hooded Justice. Writer Cord Jefferson said American Hero Story was meant to be the opposite to what they were creating for the actual show, a "cheesy" production that perpetuated the in-universe myth of Hooded Justice being a white man. Lindelof said the show was designed to be comparable to Ryan Murphy's series American Horror Story and American Crime Story, and had even considered bringing in Murphy to play himself as the producer of American Hero Story. He opted against this, but still treated American Hero Story like a Murphy work, and taking its producer to be somewhat secretive and seclusive, like Murphy. Some media critics took the American Hero Story segments to be a parody of Zack Snyder's 2009 live-action adaptation of Watchmen, but Lindelof and Kassell asserted this was not their intent. Kassell said, "I fully admire [Snyder] as a filmmaker so to hear that it could even be used as a negative comment feels terrible. What I was wanting to do with those (American Hero Story scenes) is like, 'This is the version we could make,' and we are very concretely not making that version. We're grounding our story in a much more real kind of naturalism."{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2486877/no-hbos-watchmen-wasnt-trolling-zack-snyders-movie-producers-address-theory |title=No, HBO's Watchmen Wasn't Trolling Zack Snyder's Movie: Producers Address Theory |first=Nick |last=Venable |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |work=Cinema Blend |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174639/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2486877/no-hbos-watchmen-wasnt-trolling-zack-snyders-movie-producers-address-theory |url-status=live}}

On May 23, 2018, it was announced that Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Adelaide Clemens, and Andrew Howard had joined the cast of the pilot. At least one of the actors was expected to have been cast in a potentially recurring role.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen: Regina King, Don Johnson, Louis Gossett Jr., Andrew Howard Among Six Cast In Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/watchmen-regina-king-don-johnson-louis-gossett-jr-andrew-howard-among-six-cast-in-damon-lindelofs-hbo-pilot-1202396744/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181205092535/https://deadline.com/2018/05/watchmen-regina-king-don-johnson-louis-gossett-jr-andrew-howard-among-six-cast-in-damon-lindelofs-hbo-pilot-1202396744/ |archive-date= December 5, 2018 |url-status= live}} In June 2018, it was reported that Jeremy Irons, Tom Mison, Frances Fisher, Jacob Ming-Trent, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Sara Vickers had been cast in the pilot.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen: Jeremy Irons To Star In Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-jeremy-irons-cast-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202417623/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105235259/https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-jeremy-irons-cast-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202417623/ |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Watchmen: Tom Mison, Frances Fisher & Jacob Ming-Trent Cast In Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-tom-mison-frances-fisher-jacob-ming-trent-cast-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202418940/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052243/https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-tom-mison-frances-fisher-jacob-ming-trent-cast-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202418940/ |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Watchmen: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Sara Vickers Cast In Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-sara-vickers-cast-damon-lindelofs-hbo-pilot-1202419601/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=June 29, 2018 |date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322030926/https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-sara-vickers-cast-damon-lindelofs-hbo-pilot-1202419601/ |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |url-status=live}} On August 7, 2018, it was announced that Dylan Schombing, Adelynn Spoon, and Lily Rose Smith had joined the pilot's cast.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Watchmen: Dylan Schombing, Adelynn Spoon & Lily Rose Smith Join Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/watchmen-dylan-schombing-adelynn-spoon-lily-rose-smith-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202442037/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=August 7, 2018 |date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180825184224/https://deadline.com/2018/08/watchmen-dylan-schombing-adelynn-spoon-lily-rose-smith-damon-lindelof-hbo-pilot-1202442037/ |archive-date= August 25, 2018 |url-status= live}} In November 2018, it was reported that Jean Smart had been cast in a starring role and that James Wolk would appear in a recurring capacity. Additionally, it was confirmed that Irons would portray Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias, that Nelson would portray a newly devised character named Looking Glass,{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen: James Wolk Cast In Recurring Role On HBO Series |url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/watchmen-james-wolk-cast-hbo-keene-1202496442/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214124905/https://deadline.com/2018/11/watchmen-james-wolk-cast-hbo-keene-1202496442/ |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Jacob |title=Exclusive: Jeremy Irons is Older Ozymandias in the 'Watchmen' TV Series, Jean Smart Joins the Cast as an FBI Agent |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/watchmen-ozymandias-jean-smart/ |website=/Film |access-date=November 8, 2018 |date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203082231/https://www.slashfilm.com/watchmen-ozymandias-jean-smart/ |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Watchmen: Jean Smart To Co-Star On HBO Series From Damon Lindelof |url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/watchmen-jean-smart-cast-hbo-series-damon-lindelof-1202498463/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 8, 2018 |date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116034529/https://deadline.com/2018/11/watchmen-jean-smart-cast-hbo-series-damon-lindelof-1202498463/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Nugent |first1=John |last2=Travis |first2=Ben |title=Watchmen: Tim Blake Nelson Reveals His Character In HBO Series – Exclusive |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/watchmen-tim-blake-nelson-reveals-character-hbo-series-exclusive/ |website=Empire |access-date=November 10, 2018 |date=November 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111001553/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/watchmen-tim-blake-nelson-reveals-character-hbo-series-exclusive/ |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |url-status=live}} and that Vickers and Mison would join the cast.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/05/hbo-drops-first-teaser-for-its-upcoming-watchmen-series/ |title=HBO drops first teaser for its upcoming Watchmen series |last=Ouellette |first=Jennifer|author-link=Jennifer Ouellette |date=May 8, 2019 |website=Ars Technica|access-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508223914/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/05/hbo-drops-first-teaser-for-its-upcoming-watchmen-series/|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}} In January 2019, it was announced that Hong Chau and Dustin Ingram had been cast in recurring roles.{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |title=Watchmen: Hong Chau Joins Cast Of HBO Series |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/watchmen-hong-chau-cast-hbo-series-lady-t-1202533904/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 11, 2019 |date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150243/https://deadline.com/2019/01/watchmen-hong-chau-cast-hbo-series-lady-t-1202533904/ |archive-date= January 12, 2019 |url-status= live}}{{cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |title=Watchmen: Dustin Ingram To Recur On HBO Series |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/watchmen-dustin-ingram-recur-hbo-series-damon-lindelof-1202541172/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 24, 2019 |date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020626/https://deadline.com/2019/01/watchmen-dustin-ingram-recur-hbo-series-damon-lindelof-1202541172/ |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |url-status=live}} Sigourney Weaver was offered the role of Laurie, but turned it down, Smart thanked Weaver for declining.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/jean-smart-interview-hacks-career-1235923236/ |title=‘Hacks’ Star Jean Smart on Getting ‘Watchmen’ Role After Sigourney Weaver Turned It Down |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Stacey |last=Wilson Hunt |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=April 14, 2025}}

The performances of the cast during the pilot and other scenes influenced later episodes in the show's writing. When filming Irons for the pilot, Lindelof and his team found he took the character of Veidt in a comedic direction, something not suggested by the original comic series. They recognized that this was "a slightly absurd and ridiculous treatment of the character" that worked for Veidt's role within the show, and stuck with it in writing the later episodes.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-season-finale-explained-damon-lindelof-see-how-they-fly-1262837 |title='Watchmen' Season Finale: Damon Lindelof Breaks Down That All-Powerful Ending |first=Josh |last=Wigler |date=December 15, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-season-finale-explained-damon-lindelof-see-how-they-fly-1262837 |url-status=live}}

While reports in July 2019 suggested that actor Robert Redford would play a fictionalized version of himself in the series,{{cite web |url=https://tvweb.com/watchmen-tv-show-robert-redford-president/ |title=Watchmen Elects Robert Redford as President of the United States |date=July 26, 2019 |website=TVweb.com |access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726201508/https://tvweb.com/watchmen-tv-show-robert-redford-president/|archive-date=July 26, 2019|url-status=live}} Lindelof affirmed later that the real Redford would not be appearing in the show; the use of Redford is a tribute to the closing pages of the original comic where it is suggested that Redford was positioning himself for president, in much the same way actor Ronald Reagan became president.

{{Main|Watchmen (soundtrack)}}

File:Reznor Ross G5 setup cropped tight.jpg

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails were announced as the series' composers on September 20, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Pedersen |first1=Erik |title=Watchmen: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross To Compose Music For Damon Lindelof's HBO Series |url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/watchmen-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-to-compose-music-for-damon-lindelofs-hbo-series-1202468375/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 20, 2018 |date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011142449/https://deadline.com/2018/09/watchmen-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-to-compose-music-for-damon-lindelofs-hbo-series-1202468375/ |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |url-status=live}} In considering the series music, Lindelof had considered using Reznor and Ross as they had not composed for television before. By coincidence, when Lindelof suggested the pair to HBO, HBO reported that the two had been in contact with the network about doing the music just a few days prior, as they were big fans of Watchmen. Reznor stated he and Ross were also fans of Lindelof's previous work and thus sought to offer their services for the show.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/trent-reznor-watchmen-pretty-hate-machine-interview-905456/ |title=Trent Reznor on Watchmen Soundtrack, Nine Inch Nails' 'Pretty Hate Machine' Turning 30 |first=Kory |last=Grow |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=November 5, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174642/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/trent-reznor-watchmen-pretty-hate-machine-interview-905456/ |url-status=live}} Reznor and Ross had already prepared pieces for the pilot episode prior to filming, allowing Lindelof to better incorporate it into the pilot. According to Reznor, their initial compositions were set for "an aggressive, sort of sleazy tone" for the show, but adapted to the series as it changed tone throughout the first season.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-damon-lindelof-watchmen-score-emmys-1049758/ |title=Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Damon Lindelof on Scoring 'Watchmen' |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |author-link=Alan Sepinwall |date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=August 28, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174653/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-damon-lindelof-watchmen-score-emmys-1049758/ |url-status=live}}

Reznor and Ross released three albums of music from the show on both vinyl albums and through streaming services. The first volume was released on November 4,{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/watchmen-soundtrack-streaming/ |title=Watchmen Soundtrack From Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is Now Streaming |first=Chris |last=Evangelista |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=November 5, 2019 |work=Slash Film |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.slashfilm.com/watchmen-soundtrack-streaming/ |url-status=live}} the second on November 25, and the third on December 16, 2019.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-atticus-watchmen-soundtrack-901981/ |title=Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Plot Three-Volume Watchmen Soundtrack Albums |first=Kory |last=Glow |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022151214/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-atticus-watchmen-soundtrack-901981/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/12/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-soundtrack-watchmen-vol-3/ |title=Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross close their soundtrack trilogy with Watchmen Vol. 3: Stream |first=Wren |last=Graves |date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |work=Consequence of Sound |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174639/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/12/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-soundtrack-watchmen-vol-3/ |url-status=live}}

In addition to new compositions, the show employed licensed music selected by music supervisor Liza Richardson. Similar to how music and lyric references were employed in the original comic series, the soundtrack's song titles and lyrics frequently tied in with narrative elements of the show. For example, several songs from the musical Oklahoma! are used, given the show's setting in Tulsa. "A God Walks into Abar", in which the blue-skinned Doctor Manhattan is introduced, used a number of songs themed around the color blue, such as "Rhapsody in Blue" and "The Blue Danube".{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/12/watchmen-music-songs-show/ |title=Watchmen's On-the-Nose Music Supervision Was a Sly and Fitting Tribute to the Original Comic |first=Will |last=Gottsegen |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=Spin |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174641/https://www.spin.com/2019/12/watchmen-music-songs-show/ |url-status=live}} The final episode "See How They Fly" incorporates many of the unusual phrases from the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" into its visual elements.{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/watchmen-finale-song-i-am-the-eggman-walrus-who-sings-easter-eggs-damon-lindelof |title=The Final Watchmen Easter Egg Goes Deeper Than You Think |first=Joanna |last=Robinson |date=December 15, 2019 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |work=Vanity Fair |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174646/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/watchmen-finale-song-i-am-the-eggman-walrus-who-sings-easter-eggs-damon-lindelof |url-status=live}}

File:Penrhyn Castle - geograph.org.uk - 47395.jpg in Wales was used for the scenes with Veidt.]]

Principal photography for the pilot commenced May 30, 2018, and lasted through June 19, 2019, in Cedartown, Georgia.{{Cite web |first=Matthew |last=Aguilar |date=June 21, 2019 |title=HBO's Watchmen Wraps Filming |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/hbo-watchmen-wrap-filming/ |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com}} Filming began on the 97th anniversary of the start of the riots during the second day of the production schedule on May 31.{{cite news |last1=Myrick |first1=Kevin |title=Film crews to shut down Main Street at end of May |url=http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/polk_standard_journal/news/local/film-crews-to-shut-down-main-street-at-end-of/article_bb0761d4-520c-11e8-a438-8f91a2338e4e.html |access-date=December 28, 2019 |work=The Polk County Standard Journal |date=May 7, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174651/https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/polk_standard_journal/news/local/film-crews-to-shut-down-main-street-at-end-of/article_bb0761d4-520c-11e8-a438-8f91a2338e4e.html |url-status=live}} Throughout the month, filming occurred in additional Georgia cities and towns, including Macon, Fayetteville, Newnan, Palmetto, Brooks, Griffin, Georgia and Tucker.{{cite web |last1=Walljasper |first1=Matt |title=What's filming in Atlanta now? HBO's Watchmen, Clint Eastwood's The Mule, Stranger Things, Stuber, and more |url=http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-atlanta-now-hbos-watchmen-clint-eastwoods-mule-stranger-things-stuber/ |website=Atlanta |access-date=July 1, 2018 |date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829224059/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-atlanta-now-hbos-watchmen-clint-eastwoods-mule-stranger-things-stuber/ |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |url-status=live}} In October 2018, filming for the remainder of the first season began in Georgia. Filming locations that month included Palmetto, Brookhaven, Peachtree City, Decatur, and the MARTA station in Chamblee.{{cite web |last1=Walljasper |first1=Matt |title=What's filming in Atlanta now? Doctor Sleep, The Banker, Stranger Things, Avengers, Watchmen, and more |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-doctor-sleep-the-banker-stranger-things-avengers-watchmen-and-more/ |website=Atlanta |access-date=November 1, 2018 |date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116171615/https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-doctor-sleep-the-banker-stranger-things-avengers-watchmen-and-more/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live}} In November 2018, shooting moved to locales such as Palmetto, Chamblee, McDonough, and the West Lake MARTA station.{{cite web |last=Walljasper |first=Matt |title=What's filming in Atlanta now? Limited Partners, Watchmen, Stranger Things, plus unpacking the #BoycottGeorgia movement |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-limited-partners-watchmen-stranger-things-plus-unpacking-the-boycottgeorgia-movement/ |website=Atlanta |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181201142206/https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-limited-partners-watchmen-stranger-things-plus-unpacking-the-boycottgeorgia-movement/ |archive-date= December 1, 2018 |url-status= live}} In December 2018, the production was working out of Union City, Newnan, and the Georgia World Congress Center.{{cite web |last=Walljasper |first=Matt |title=What's filming in Atlanta now? Undercover Brother 2, Limited Partners, Watchmen, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, and more |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-undercover-brother-2-limited-partners-watchmen-dolly-partons-heartstrings-and-more/ |website=Atlanta |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224220207/https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-undercover-brother-2-limited-partners-watchmen-dolly-partons-heartstrings-and-more/ |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |url-status=live}} Interior shooting was filmed at Atlanta Metro Studios in Union City.{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/hbo-watchmen-mostly-shot-georgia-but-not-that-castle/nkgVzbJvgpjS9RxAXXJg7L/ |title=HBO's Watchmen mostly shot in Georgia – but not that castle |first=Rodney |last=Ho |date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2019 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021210942/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/hbo-watchmen-mostly-shot-georgia-but-not-that-castle/nkgVzbJvgpjS9RxAXXJg7L/ |url-status=live}}

Filming of the country manor scenes was treated as a separate production, similar in nature to the Tales of the Black Freighter comic narrative within the original Watchmen graphic novel. Filming of these scenes took place in September 2018 in Wales at Penrhyn Castle.{{cite web |url=https://www.thebangoraye.com/hbos-watchmen-filmed-at-penrhyn-castle-to-be-released-in-2019/ |title=HBO's Watchmen filmed at Penrhyn Castle to be released in 2019 |website=The Bangor Aye |date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022224854/https://www.thebangoraye.com/hbos-watchmen-filmed-at-penrhyn-castle-to-be-released-in-2019/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/hbo-watchmen-mostly-shot-georgia-but-not-that-castle/nkgVzbJvgpjS9RxAXXJg7L/ |title=HBO's Watchmen mostly shot in Georgia – but not that castle |website=Atlanta News Now |first=Rodney |last=Ho |date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021210942/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/hbo-watchmen-mostly-shot-georgia-but-not-that-castle/nkgVzbJvgpjS9RxAXXJg7L/ |url-status=live}} These were completed before most of the remaining episode scripts were finished, according to actor Tom Mison.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-mr-phillips-tom-mison-death-explained-1250699 |title='Watchmen' Star on How That Fiery Death Raises an Existential Question: "What is Life?" |first=Josh |last=Wigler |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029153409/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-mr-phillips-tom-mison-death-explained-1250699 |url-status=live}} According to Lindelof, these scenes are "the idea is doing an escape story with Adrian Veidt that's more like Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner than it was like Escape from Alcatraz, that felt too delicious to not do".{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/watchmen-adrian-veidt-explained/ |title=Damon Lindelof Explains Why Watchmen Portrays Adrian Veidt as [SPOILER] |first=Adam |last=Chitwood |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 6, 2019 |work=Collider |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174639/https://collider.com/watchmen-adrian-veidt-explained/ |url-status=live}} Until the third episode, HBO did not identify Irons' character as Veidt, but only as "Lord of a Country Manor". Lindelof chose to keep Veidt's identity a secret in part to avoid having the show be considered a sequel of the comic, as well as in keeping with the storytelling mystery used by the comic, in which the identity of Rorschach is not revealed until midway through the series.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hbos-watchmen-ozymandias-theory-gets-apparent-conf/1100-6471322/ |title=HBO's Watchmen Ozymandias Theory Gets Apparent Confirmation From Damon Lindelof |first=Michael |last=Rougeau |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2019 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174639/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hbos-watchmen-ozymandias-theory-gets-apparent-conf/1100-6471322/ |url-status=live}}

The first teaser for the series, named "Tick Tock", first aired on May 8, 2019.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/08/hbo-watchmen-teaser-trailer/ |title=Tick tock! HBO's Watchmen teaser trailer counts down to a reckoning |first=Nick |last=Romano |date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=December 14, 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174659/https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/08/hbo-watchmen-teaser-trailer/ |url-status=live}}

With release of each episode, HBO released additional content on a special site named "Peteypedia", a collection of files written in-universe by Dale Petey and from other excerpts. Peteypedia was developed after most of the filming was completed, with writer Jeff Jensen overseeing it. The writing team were aware they had developed too much information that would fit into the broadcast show and debated how to present this, including as post-credit scenes or through social media. At the same time, HBO was working with Reznor and Ross on how to release the albums and were considering including additional liner notes in the vinyl releases, which included the additional background material the writers had developed. This led to creating reports and clippings similar to those presented in the original Watchmen comic, and presenting this as part of Peteypedia.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/how-watchmen-made-peteypedia.html |title=How Watchmen Built Out Its Universe With Peteypedia |first=Jackson |last=McHenry |date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2019 |work=Vulture |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174643/https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/how-watchmen-made-peteypedia.html |url-status=live}} Peteypedia allowed them, for example, to explain Laurie's trajectory from being the second Silk Spectre and fighting crime with Nite Owl at the end of the comic series, to becoming an FBI agent, elements of this that they had written briefly into the show but did not have broadcast time to spell out. They also tied elements back to the original comic. Of note is the fictional novel Fogdancing, written in-universe by Max Shea, one of the people who Veidt had employed to devise the alien squid attack in 1985. Jensen said that in the extra material with the graphic novel, Fogdancing had been made into a film at least twice, so the writers considered the work to be seminal to the characters in the television series, having the book appear at least twice during the show. Jensen created a whole plot summary of the work based on minimal clues from the comic, making the work to be about super-soldiers and having it tie to the idea of the Watchmen superhero culture.

While HBO had not yet confirmed a second season following the show's broadcast, Lindelof stated that if there were, he would not likely be back for it, but instead have another producer step forward to tell another story set in this universe. Lindelof said he felt that the show was "not my story" and that "These nine episodes are sort of everything that I have to say at this point about Watchmen".{{cite web |last=Colburn |first=Randall |title=Ryan Murphy almost had a Watchmen cameo as Ryan Murphy, creator of American Hero Story |url=https://www.avclub.com/ryan-murphy-almost-had-a-watchmen-cameo-as-ryan-murphy-1839234510 |work=The A.V. Club |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174648/https://news.avclub.com/ryan-murphy-almost-had-a-watchmen-cameo-as-ryan-murphy-1839234510 |url-status=live}} Lindelof created the first season to be a complete story, in the same manner that each season of Fargo and True Detective were each self-contained stories.{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Tom |title=Watchmen Creator Damon Lindelof Says There Is More To Come |url=https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/tv-and-film-damon-lindelof-says-there-will-definitely-be-more-watchmen-in-future-20191118 |work=LADbible |date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174701/https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/tv-and-film-damon-lindelof-says-there-will-definitely-be-more-watchmen-in-future-20191118 |url-status=live}} Following the broadcast of the season one finale, Lindelof still said that the story he told during the season was everything he could put forward about Watchmen, with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. However, he agreed with HBO that Watchmen should be treated as a continuing series, and did not rule out returning, but would want to have time to develop a similar complete story before committing.{{cite web |last=Vary |first=Adam |title=Watchmen Showrunner Damon Lindelof Says He Could Return for Season 2 |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/watchmen-season-2-damon-lindelof-finale-1203441149/ |work=Variety |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174650/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/watchmen-season-2-damon-lindelof-finale-1203441149/ |url-status=live}}

By January 2020, Lindelof stated he had passed on a second season but gave his blessing to anyone that followed him as showrunner. HBO's programming chief Casey Bloys stated with regards to a second season that "[i]t would be hard to imagine doing it without Damon involved in some way", while not altogether dismissing the possibility of the concept of one.{{cite web |last=Levin |first=Gary |title=HBO won't pursue second season of 'Watchmen' after creator bows out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/01/16/watchmen-second-hbo-season-wont-happen-after-creator-bails/4491269002/ |work=USA Today |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174701/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/01/16/watchmen-second-hbo-season-wont-happen-after-creator-bails/4491269002/ |url-status=live}} Due to this, HBO reclassified Watchmen as a limited series in February 2020, with the potential for additional installments.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/watchmen-limited-series-1203510971/ |title=HBO Reclassifies 'Watchmen' as a Limited Series, Including 'Possible Future Installments' |first=Adam |last=Vary |date=February 21, 2020 |access-date=February 21, 2020 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174653/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/watchmen-limited-series-1203510971/ |url-status=live}} In October 2020, DC Comics began publishing the comic book limited series Rorschach, written by Tom King, drawn by Jorge Fornés, and explicitly set after the events of the HBO series, with the events of the final episode being mentioned in its first issue.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-12|title=Tom King Says Nothing in Rorschach Contradicts the Original Watchmen or the HBO Series|url=https://www.cbr.com/tom-king-rorschach-doesnt-contradict-watchmen/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=CBR|language=en-US}}

The series was first broadcast on the HBO network from October 20 through December 15, 2019. In New Zealand, Watchmen is distributed exclusively by Neon, Sky Television's subscription television series.{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Sam |title=What you need to know before you watch Watchmen |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/neon/24-10-2019/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-watch-watchmen/ |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=The Spinoff |date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174656/https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/neon/24-10-2019/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-watch-watchmen/ |url-status=live}} In Australia, the series is distributed by Foxtel's streaming service.{{cite news |last1=Ma |first1=Wenlei |title=HBO series Watchmen drops new trailer |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/hbo-series-watchmen-drops-new-trailer/news-story/b86e5b553bf0236cf9f902beb6cfdd1d |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=News.com.au |date=September 6, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174655/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/hbo-series-watchmen-drops-new-trailer/news-story/b86e5b553bf0236cf9f902beb6cfdd1d |url-status=live}}

The series was released onto digital media for purchase or streaming in December 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1114951-hbos-watchmen-season-1-out-on-digital-today |title=HBO's Watchmen Season 1 Out on Digital Today! |first=Kyle |last=Hemmert |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2020 |work=ComingSoon.net |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174653/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1114951-hbos-watchmen-season-1-out-on-digital-today |url-status=live}} Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released the series on Blu-ray under the title Watchmen: An HBO Limited Series on June 2, 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=26413 |title=Watchmen: An HBO Limited Series Blu-ray |date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=February 15, 2020 |work=Blu-ray.com |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174652/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=26413 |url-status=live}}

Across May and June 2020, the George Floyd protests arose as black people and others protested against police violence, and some saw Watchmen as a "predictive text for the current moment".{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/06/watchmen-streaming-for-free-hbo |title=HBO Will Stream Watchmen for Free Starting on Juneteenth |first=Christopher |last=Rosen |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |work=Vanity Fair |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174700/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/06/watchmen-streaming-for-free-hbo |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/watchmen-writer-interview-police-brutality-white-supremacy-1014494/ |title='Watchmen' Writer on Trump in Tulsa, Bad Cops, and America's White Supremacy Problem |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174648/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/watchmen-writer-interview-police-brutality-white-supremacy-1014494/ |url-status=live}} HBO made the series available for free streaming from its website and other on demand services on the weekend of June 19, 2020, in observation of Juneteenth, identifying the show "highlighting Black experiences, voices and storytellers" as "this timely, poignant series that explores the legacy of systemic racism in America".{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/18/21295503/watchmen-hbo-free-streaming-juneteenth-where-to-watch |title=All of HBO's Watchmen is free to watch this weekend |first=Susano |last=Polo |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |work=Polygon |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174653/https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/18/21295503/watchmen-hbo-free-streaming-juneteenth-where-to-watch |url-status=live}}

Watchmen received widespread critical acclaim. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a 96% rating based on 408 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Bold and bristling, Watchmen isn't always easy viewing, but by adding new layers of cultural context and a host of complex characters it expertly builds on its source material to create an impressive identity of its own."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/watchmen/s01 |title=Watchmen: Season 1 (2019) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216114124/https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/watchmen/s01/ |url-status=live}} On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/watchmen-2019/season-1 |title=Watchmen (2019): Season 1 |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021141204/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/watchmen-2019/season-1 |url-status=live}}

Rotten Tomatoes' audience score is lower than the critics' consensus, with several news outlets reporting that the site was review bombed. Esquire writer Matt Miller alleged that "far-right trolls" artificially deflated the audience score.{{cite web |url=https://www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/09moore.html |last=Knutson |first=Jon B. |title=Toasting Absent Heroes |date=June 16, 2000 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |access-date=March 8, 2013 |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113124711/http://twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/09moore.html |url-status=live }} These outlets agree that the chief complaint among followers of the source material is that the image of fan-favorite character Rorschach is adopted by the Seventh Kavalry, a white supremacist organization. Many fans agreed with the television series' use of Rorschach's image, citing Alan Moore's intention in the original Watchmen to comment on fascist undertones within the superhero genre. Other fans have claimed that the show fails to properly reflect the complexities of Rorschach's character.{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/hbos-watchmen-pisses-off-comics-fanboys-its-woke-propaganda |title=Comics Fanboys Are Pissed About HBO's Watchmen: It's 'Woke' Propaganda! |first=Kevin |last=Fallon |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=November 4, 2019 |work=The Daily Beast |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174649/https://www.thedailybeast.com/hbos-watchmen-pisses-off-comics-fanboys-its-woke-propaganda |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/26/hbo-watchmen-is-bombing-reviews-but-that-wont-scare-off-any-viewers.html |title=HBO's Watchmen is getting 'review bombed,' but that won't scare off any viewers |first=Daniel |last=Bukszpan |date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=November 4, 2019 |work=CNBC |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174659/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/26/hbo-watchmen-is-bombing-reviews-but-that-wont-scare-off-any-viewers.html |url-status=live }} In response, Damon Lindelof stated that the show is not intended to portray Walter Kovacs, the original Rorschach, as a racist. At the New York Comic Con, he explained that Rorschach's journal had been misinterpreted by the New Frontiersman and that his image has been misappropriated by the Seventh Kavalry. "He's been dead for over 30 years," Lindelof clarified. "He doesn't get to say, 'You misunderstood me. No, I wasn't a white supremacist.' They decided what he was."{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/59815-watchmen-damon-lindelof-on-white-surprmacist-adoption-of-rorshach |title='Watchmen' producer explains white supremacist "appropriation" of Rorschach |website=Inverse |first=Eric |last=Francisco |date=October 5, 2019 |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174658/https://www.inverse.com/article/59815-watchmen-damon-lindelof-on-white-surprmacist-adoption-of-rorshach |url-status=live }}

Patrick Wilson, who played Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl in the 2009 film adaptation, praised the series, saying he was initially curious based on his familiarity with the source material but said he was hooked by the cast and wound up loving the series.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/midway-star-patrick-wilson-his-aquaman-2-future-1254563 |title='Midway' Star Patrick Wilson on HBO's 'Watchmen,' 'Aquaman 2' and 'Conjuring 3' |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Brian |last=Davids |date=November 13, 2019 |access-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113232046/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/midway-star-patrick-wilson-his-aquaman-2-future-1254563 |url-status=live}}

{{Television Rotten Tomatoes scores

| color = #00000

| title = Watchmen

| year = 2019

| ref =

| 94 | 94 | 100 | 93 | 100 | 97 | 93 | 100 | 93

}}

{{Television episode ratings

| width = 99

| noshare = y

| title1 = It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice

| date1 = October 20, 2019

| rs1 = 0.25

| viewers1 = 0.799

| dvr1 = 0.14

| dvrv1 = 0.403

| total1 = 0.39

| totalv1 = 1.202{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-its-always-in-philadelphia-more-than-triples-its-demos-in-delayed-viewing-leads-all-telecasts-in-overall-percentage-gains/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' More Than Triples its Demos in Delayed Viewing, Leads All Telecasts in Overall Percentage Gains |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=October 26, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174652/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-its-always-in-philadelphia-more-than-triples-its-demos-in-delayed-viewing-leads-all-telecasts-in-overall-percentage-gains/ |url-status=live}}

| title2 = Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship

| date2 = October 27, 2019

| rs2 = 0.25

| viewers2 = 0.765

| dvr2 = 0.18

| dvrv2 = 0.513

| total2 = 0.43

| totalv2 = 1.278{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-will-grace-return-ranks-third-among-all-comedies-in-raw-adults-18-49-lifts/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Will & Grace' Return Ranks Third Among All Comedies in Raw Adults 18-49 Lifts |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=November 1, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515022303/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-will-grace-return-ranks-third-among-all-comedies-in-raw-adults-18-49-lifts/ |url-status=live}}

| title3 = She Was Killed by Space Junk

| date3 = November 3, 2019

| rs3 = 0.19

| viewers3 = 0.648

| dvr3 = 0.22

| dvrv3 = 0.563

| total3 = 0.41

| totalv3 = 1.211{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-treadstone-tops-all-telecasts-in-viewer-percentage-gains/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Treadstone' Tops All Telecasts in Viewer Percentage Gains |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=November 9, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174657/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-treadstone-tops-all-telecasts-in-viewer-percentage-gains/ |url-status=live}}

| title4 = If You Don't Like My Story, Write Your Own

| date4 = November 10, 2019

| rs4 = 0.22

| viewers4 = 0.707

| dvr4 = 0.20

| dvrv4 = 0.524

| total4 = 0.42

| totalv4 = 1.231{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-mtv-non-scripted-fare-teen-mom-and-the-challenge-each-more-than-doubles-its-livesame-day-figures/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: MTV Non-Scripted Fare 'Teen Mom' and 'The Challenge' Each More Than Doubles its Live+Same Day Figures |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=November 15, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=November 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612122912/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-mtv-non-scripted-fare-teen-mom-and-the-challenge-each-more-than-doubles-its-livesame-day-figures/ |url-status=live}}

| title5 = Little Fear of Lightning

| date5 = November 17, 2019

| rs5 = 0.26

| viewers5 = 0.752

| dvr5 = 0.20

| dvrv5 = 0.593

| total5 = 0.46

| totalv5 = 1.345{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-seahawks-49ers-monday-night-football-overtime-contest-ranks-third-among-cable-telecasts-in-raw-adults-18-49-gains/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: Seahawks-49ers 'Monday Night Football' Overtime Contest Ranks Third Among Cable Telecasts in Raw Adults 18-49 Gains |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=November 22, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317224030/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-seahawks-49ers-monday-night-football-overtime-contest-ranks-third-among-cable-telecasts-in-raw-adults-18-49-gains/ |url-status=live}}

| title6 = This Extraordinary Being

| date6 = November 24, 2019

| rs6 = 0.21

| viewers6 = 0.620

| dvr6 = 0.17

| dvrv6 = 0.528

| total6 = 0.38

| totalv6 = 1.148{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-season-finale-leads-all-prime-time-comedies-in-adults-18-49-percentage-boosts/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Season Finale Leads All Prime Time Comedies in Adults 18-49 Percentage Boosts |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=December 4, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027134914/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-season-finale-leads-all-prime-time-comedies-in-adults-18-49-percentage-boosts/ |url-status=live}}

| title7 = An Almost Religious Awe

| date7 = December 1, 2019

| rs7 = 0.25

| viewers7 = 0.779

| dvr7 = 0.17

| dvrv7 = 0.509

| total7 = 0.42

| totalv7 = 1.288{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-thanksgiving-night-episode-of-temptation-island-is-top-telecast-in-overall-percentage-lifts/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: Thanksgiving Night Episode of 'Temptation Island' is Top Telecast in Overall Percentage Lifts |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=December 6, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317224147/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-thanksgiving-night-episode-of-temptation-island-is-top-telecast-in-overall-percentage-lifts/ |url-status=live}}

| title8 = A God Walks into Abar

| date8 = December 8, 2019

| rs8 = 0.28

| viewers8 = 0.822

| dvr8 = 0.19

| dvrv8 = 0.527

| total8 = 0.47

| totalv8 = 1.349{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-real-housewives-of-atlanta-ranks-in-top-ten-raw-gainers-among-adults-18-49/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Ranks in Top Ten Raw Gainers Among Adults 18-49 |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=December 13, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110062611/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-real-housewives-of-atlanta-ranks-in-top-ten-raw-gainers-among-adults-18-49/ |url-status=live}}

| title9 = See How They Fly

| date9 = December 15, 2019

| rs9 = 0.33

| viewers9 = 0.935

| dvr9 = 0.17

| dvrv9 = 0.575

| total9 = 0.50

| totalv9 = 1.510{{cite web |url=https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-real-housewives-of-orange-county-with-fourth-most-raw-gains-in-adults-18-49-of-all-telecasts/ |title=Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Real Housewives of Orange County' with Fourth-Most Raw Gains in Adults 18-49 of All Telecasts |last=Pucci |first=Douglas |date=December 21, 2019 |work=Programming Insider |access-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408135156/https://programminginsider.com/live3-weekly-ratings-real-housewives-of-orange-county-with-fourth-most-raw-gains-in-adults-18-49-of-all-telecasts/ |url-status=live}}

}}

According to HBO, the first episode of Watchmen had more than 1.5 million viewers on its first night across television and streaming services, the strongest debut performance for the network. The first broadcast of the episode, at 9 p.m. EDT, had 800,000 viewers, making it the most viewed debut episode for any premium-cable show in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/watchmen-ratings-regina-king-damon-lindelof-hbo-digital-1202765310/ |title=Watchmen Premiere Draws 1.5 Million Viewers, Delivering Strongest Digital Debut For HBO Since 'Westworld' |first=Dino-Ray |last=Ramos |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021203513/https://deadline.com/2019/10/watchmen-ratings-regina-king-damon-lindelof-hbo-digital-1202765310/ |url-status=live}} The second episode dropped to about 1.3 million viewers across the first night, with 765,000 watching the first broadcast, though this was considered a strong performance as the show aired alongside Game 5 of the 2019 World Series.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/tv-ratings-watchmen-episode-2-viewership-1203387421/ |title=TV Ratings: Watchmen Episode 2 Dips, Still Draws 1.3 Million Viewers |first=Will |last=Thorne |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174700/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/tv-ratings-watchmen-episode-2-viewership-1203387421/ |url-status=live}}

As of episode 9, HBO reported 7 million viewers to date, making it HBO's most viewed new series since Big Little Lies.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-finale-hits-series-highs-first-night-viewing-1263021 |title='Watchmen' Finale Hits Series Highs for First-Night Viewing |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Rick |last=Porter |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174658/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-finale-hits-series-highs-first-night-viewing-1263021 |url-status=live}} HBO estimates that the Sunday night premiere viewership represents only about 10 percent of the total viewership for an episode, to the effect of word-of-mouth that has brought new viewers to the show, with the first episode having a total of 9.6 million viewers as of December 4, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-watchmen-ratings-1203425067/ |title=TV Ratings: HBO's Watchmen Is a Word of Mouth Hit |first=Kate |last=Aurthur |date=December 4, 2019 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174703/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hbo-watchmen-ratings-1203425067/ |url-status=live}}

Among the various awards, Watchmen led total nominations of the main Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards for the 2019–20 television season with a total of 26 nominations, and won a combined 11 awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (for Regina King), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special (for Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson) for the episode "This Extraordinary Being".{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/watchmen-emmys-hbo-scorecard-1234776656/ |title='Watchmen' Leads Emmys Winners; HBO Tops Networks and Streaming |first=Joe |last=Otterson |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |work=Variety |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174658/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/watchmen-emmys-hbo-scorecard-1234776656/ |url-status=live}}

Watchmen had been critically praised for presenting the events of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. Until the show premiered, while historians had documented the event, few filmmakers were able to successfully acquire funding for projects that addressed the event due to its relative obscurity in American history. Watchmen served as a "catalyst" for more interest in works related to the massacre ahead of the event's 100th anniversary in 2021, according to The Washington Post{{'s}} DeNeen Brown. At least four separate documentaries were produced in advance of the anniversary, and there was an increase in depictions of the event in other works, such as in HBO's Lovecraft Country.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-05-26/tulsa-race-massacre-watchmen-lovecraft-country-documentaries |title=They were told white men 'wouldn't relate to' the Tulsa Race Massacre. Then came Watchmen |first=Greg |last=Braxton |date=May 29, 2021 |access-date=May 29, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529202109/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-05-26/tulsa-race-massacre-watchmen-lovecraft-country-documentaries |url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.hbo.com/peteypedia "Peteypedia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111021230/https://www.hbo.com/peteypedia |date=January 11, 2020 }}, related in-universe database collected by the character of FBI Agent Dale Petey
• {{IMDb title}}

{{Watchmen}}

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|title = Awards for Watchmen

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{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Television Movie or Limited Series}}

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{{Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Series – Long Form}}

{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials}}

{{TCA Award for Outstanding New Program}}

{{TCA Award for Program of the Year}}

{{Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series}}

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