Elsbeth (TV series): Difference between revisions

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* [[Jenn Colella]] as Captain Kershaw (season 2)

* [[Jenn Colella]] as Captain Kershaw (season 2)

* Braeden De La Garza as Detective Rivers (season 2)

* Braeden De La Garza as Detective Rivers (season 2)

* [[Lindsay Mendez]] as Officer Grace Hackett (season 3)

===Guest===

===Guest===

American police procedural comedy-drama TV series

Elsbeth is an American police procedural comedy drama television series that premiered on February 29, 2024, on CBS. It is a spin-off of The Good Wife (2009–2016) and The Good Fight (2017–2022), from which Carrie Preston originated the role of Elsbeth Tascioni, an unconventional attorney who ends up working as a de facto detective.[2][3] In April 2024, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 17, 2024.[4][5] In February 2025, CBS renewed the series for a third season which premiered on October 12, 2025.[6][7]

Most, though not all, episodes of Elsbeth use the “howcatchem” mystery format rather than the traditional “whodunit“, showing the audience from the start who the killer is, how and why they commit the crime, and how they are caught.[8]

The series focuses on the offbeat Elsbeth Tascioni, an unconventional but astute attorney who, after a successful career in Chicago, uses her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner criminals alongside the NYPD. Ostensibly assigned by the United States Department of Justice to oversee a monitorship or consent decree after some controversial arrests,[9][10] her real mission initially (revealed over the course of the first season) is to investigate Captain C. W. Wagner for corruption. Most episodes use the inverted detective story format.[11]

  • Stephen Moyer as Alex Modarian, a respected drama instructor and professor (seasons 1–2)
  • Jane Krakowski as Joann Lenox, a high-end real estate broker (season 1)
  • Linda Lavin as Gloria Blecher, a co-op board president (season 1)
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Skip Mason, the creator of Lavish Ladies, a popular reality TV show (season 1)[17]
  • Retta as Margo Clarke, a matchmaker (seasons 1–2)
  • Kelly AuCoin as Declan Armstrong (season 1)
  • Blair Underwood as Cliff McGrath, the father and coach of a rising tennis star (season 1)[18]
  • Gina Gershon as Dr. Vanessa Holmes, a cosmetic surgeon (seasons 1–2) [19]
  • Keegan-Michael Key as Ashton Hayes, the CEO of a financial firm (season 1)
  • Geneva Carr as Poppy Hayes (season 1)
  • Elizabeth Lail as Quinn Powers, the creator of an app called “Cerberus” (seasons 1–2)
  • Arian Moayed as Joe Dillon, the owner of a cocktail bar (seasons 1–2)
  • Laura Benanti as Nadine Clay, a supermodel (seasons 1–2)[20]
  • Andre de Shields as Matteo Hart, a designer (seasons 1–2)
  • Daniel Davis as Dr. Yablonski (seasons 1–2)
  • Nathan Lane as Phillip Cross, a former lawyer obsessed with opera (season 2)
  • Rob Riggle as Neal Dorsey, a self-made billionaire (season 2)
  • Brittany O’Grady as Mackenzie Altman, a former child actress (season 2)
  • Vanessa Williams as Roslyn Bridwell, a socialite with financial struggles (season 2)
  • Pamela Adlon as Genevieve Hale, a chef with a notorious temper (season 2)
  • Jack Davenport as Sam, the maitre d’ of Genevieve’s restaurant (season 2)
  • Vanessa Bayer as DeeDee Dasher, a Christmas curator who is secretly fed up with her life (season 2)
  • Laurie Metcalf as Regina Coburn, a TV actress best known for her detective television series (season 2)
  • Eric McCormack as Tom Murphy, an alternative medicine guru (season 2)
  • Alan Ruck as Bill and Peter Hepson, twin brothers who are businessmen in finance (season 2)
  • Ioan Gruffudd as Angus Oliphant-Donnachaidh, a Scottish man who helps Elsbeth catch a murderer (season 2)
  • Matthew Broderick as Lawrence Grey, a owner of a college admissions coaching company (season 2)
  • Jordana Brewster as Chloe, a lifestyle consultant (season 2)
  • Alyssa Milano as Lisette “Pupett” Del Ponte, a restaurant owner where a famous murder took place (season 2)
  • Tracey Ullman as Marilyn Gladwell, a famous psychic (season 2)
  • Mary-Louise Parker as Freya Frostad, a professional organizer (season 2)
  • David Alan Grier as Arthur Greene Jr., a funeral director (season 2)
  • Ethan Slater as Reese Chandler, a police officer (season 2)
  • Billy Magnussen as Rod Bedford, an entitled rich thrill seeker (season 2)
  • John Carroll Lynch as Edwin Dousant, a corrupt judge (season 2)
  • Donna Lynne Champlin as Mrs. “Mama” Martin, a prison warden (season 2)
  • Stephen Colbert as Scotty Bristol, a late-night host (season 3)[21]
  • Amy Sedaris as Laurel Hammond-Muntz (season 3)
  • Andy Richter as Mickey Muntz, Laurel’s husband (season 3)
  • David Cross as Nolan Hurst (season 3)
  • Julia Fox as Raquel Drabowski (season 3)

Season 2 (2024–25)

[edit]

CBS ordered a pilot in January 2023.[55] It was a straight-to-series order, with CBS Studios joining the production of the series.[56] Shortly after the premiere, creators Robert and Michelle King stated that, although the character of Elsbeth Tascioni originated on The Good Wife, they do not consider Elsbeth to be a spin-off but a “separate show” inspired by Columbo that happens to use a “character in [their] wheelhouse”.[3] On April 18, 2024, CBS renewed the series for a second season.[4] On February 20, 2025, CBS renewed the series for a third season.

Carrie Preston reprises her role as Elsbeth Tascioni from The Good Wife and The Good Fight. Also, Wendell Pierce joined as C.W. Wagner, and Carra Patterson joined in the role of Kaya Blanke.[57]

The Kings have indicated that, while they avoided recycling actors for different characters on The Good Wife and The Good Fight, Elsbeth would not adhere strictly to the Good series’ shared universe, and therefore some guest stars from the earlier series, such as Linda Lavin, would appear as different characters in Elsbeth.[3] On May 1, 2025, it was reported that Patterson exits as a series regular, but is set to return in a guest star capacity for the third season.[12]

After the show was ordered to series, the rest of the first season began shooting in January 2024[58] and wrapped in late April 2024.[59] The first season of the series was filmed in New York and consists of 10 episodes.[60]

During a conversation with the press and an open audience to promote the Spanish release of the whole first season, Preston stated that season 2 consists of 20 episodes.[61] Filming on the second season started on July 23, 2024.[62]

The first season of Elsbeth premiered on February 29, 2024, on CBS, though due to programming conflicts, subsequent episodes did not begin airing weekly until April 4.[63] The show is available to stream on Paramount+.[2] The second season premiered on October 17, 2024 on CBS.[5] The third season premiered on October 12, 2025.[7]

In Canada, the series airs on Global and is streaming on StackTV.[64]

In Australia it premiered on Paramount+ on April 26, 2024.[65]

In the UK it premiered on Sky Witness on July 23, 2024 and Germany on Sky One on August 6, 2024.

In Southeast Asia it premiered on AXN Asia on January 30, 2025 and in Italy on Rai 2 on February 1, 2025.

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 94% approval rating with an average rating of 7.2/10, based on 31 critic reviews. The website’s critics consensus reads, “Carrie Preston‘s standout character from The Good Wife makes for a great detective in this amiable and clever spinoff.”[66] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 71 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.[67]

  1. ^ As shown in “One Angry Woman”.
  2. ^ The chef and killer from “Elsbeth Flips the Bird”.
  1. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (February 28, 2024). “Carrie Preston Delights in CBS’ Enchanting ‘Good Wife’ Spinoff ‘Elsbeth’: TV Review”. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Nellie, Andreeva (November 13, 2023). “CBS Sets 2024 Premiere Dates For Delayed Scripted Series, Confirms Matlock & Poppa’s House Move To Next Season”. Deadline Hollywood.
  3. ^ a b c Goldberg, Lesley (March 1, 2024). ““I Don’t Think This Is Like The Avengers“: The Good Fight Creators on Why Elsbeth Isn’t Really a Spinoff”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (April 18, 2024). “‘Elsbeth’ Renewed for Season 2 at CBS”. Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Pedersen, Erik (July 13, 2024). “CBS Fall Premiere Dates: ‘Blue Bloods’ Final Episodes, ‘FBI’ Trio, ‘Matlock’ Reboot, ‘Survivor’ & More”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Rice, Lynette (February 20, 2025). “CBS Renews ‘Tracker’, ‘Elsbeth’, ‘Fire Country’ And ‘NCIS’ Dramas”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (July 11, 2025). “CBS Sets Fall Premiere Dates for NCIS, Matlock and More — Tom Ellis‘ CIA Bumped to Midseason With New Showrunner”. TVLine. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  8. ^ “Elsbeth and the 7 best “howcatchem” mystery shows on TV to watch”. Hidden Remote. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Loofbourow, Lili (February 28, 2024). “Review | Elsbeth is a well-executed, frothy delight”. The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  10. ^ “The Good Wife Spinoff Elsbeth Is Too Much of a Good Thing”. Time. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (February 28, 2024). “‘Elsbeth’ Wants To Be the Next ‘Columbo.’ It Nearly Succeeds”. Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (May 1, 2025). “‘Elsbeth’ Shocker: Original Cast Member Exits As Series Regular, Says They Will Return As Guest Star Next Season”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  13. ^ Jacobs, Meredith (January 31, 2024). “Elsbeth Adds Gloria Reuben as Wendell Pierce’s Wife”. TV Insider. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Wojnar, Zak (December 13, 2024). “Elsbeth Season 2 Newcomer Ben Levi Ross Shakes Things Up On The Hit CBS Series”. MSN. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  15. ^ Franken, Claire (October 20, 2024). “Elsbeth Taps Michael Emerson for Recurring Role Opposite Real-Life Wife Carrie Preston”. TVLine. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Cordero, Rosy (November 15, 2024). “Sullivan Jones, Ioan Gruffudd & Alan Ruck Join ‘Elsbeth’ Season 2”. Deadline. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Jacobs, Meredith (January 4, 2024). “Elsbeth: Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Guest Star in Good Wife Spinoff”. TV Insider. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  18. ^ Hailu, Selome (January 26, 2024). “The Good Wife Spinoff Elsbeth Casts Jane Krakowski, Blair Underwood, Retta and Linda Lavin as Guest Stars (EXCLUSIVE)”. Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  19. ^ Bastidas, Jose Alejandro (February 29, 2024). “Elsbeth Adds Keegan-Michael Key, Gina Gershon as Guest Stars”. TheWrap. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  20. ^ Cordero, Rosy (April 1, 2024). “‘Elsbeth’ Rounds Out Guest Cast With Elizabeth Lail, Arian Moayed & Laura Benanti”. Deadline. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  21. ^ Adalian, Josef (August 1, 2025). “Stephen Colbert Gets a New Late-Night Show — on Elsbeth”. Vulture.com.
  22. ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (March 1, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Decent Start for Elsbeth on CBS As It Builds in Total Viewers from So Help Me Todd Lead-In”. Programming Insider. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d Pucci, Douglas (April 5, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Elsbeth Return to CBS After 5-Week Absence Improves Upon its Series Premiere Performance in Total Viewers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 12, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Elsbeth on CBS Once Again Builds Out of So Help Me Todd Lead-In Among Total Viewers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 19, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC Share Prime Time Victory”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 26, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Slight Year-to-Year Increase for First Round of NFL Draft on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 3, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Ghosts Third Season Finale on CBS Leads Broadcast in its Slot Among Viewers, 18-49 and 25-54″. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 10, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: 9-1-1 on ABC Tops Penultimate Young Sheldon CBS Episodes Among Adults 18-49 Within the Hour”. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 17, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Young Sheldon on CBS Reaches Four-Year High with Series Finale”. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (May 24, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Elsbeth Inaugural Season Finale Helps CBS to 13th Consecutive Thursday Broadcast Victory in Total Viewers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (October 18, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Solid Debut and Matlock Time Slot Premiere Gives CBS Victory Among Broadcast Networks”. Programming Insider. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 25, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Matlock on CBS Improves from Prior Week, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Builds in Demos from Debut”. Programming Insider. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 1, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Ghosts on CBS Leads Halloween Night Linear Telecasts Among Key Demos”. Programming Insider. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 8, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Leads Broadcast Networks in Each Prime Time Hour Among Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and 25-54”. Programming Insider. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 15, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Leads Linear as Each of its Shows Sees an Uptick in Viewership from Prior Week”. Programming Insider. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 9, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Packers-Lions Sets New TNF on Prime Viewer Record”. Programming Insider. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  37. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 13, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Continues Prime Time Victory Among Linear Networks”. Programming Insider. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 20, 2024). “Thursday Ratings: Christmas-Themed Ghosts on CBS Tops Linear Telecasts in Prime Time”. Programming Insider. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (January 31, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: Entire CBS Lineup of Winter Premieres Tops Prime Time Telecasts in Total Viewers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  40. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 7, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: NFL Honors Lift Fox to Prime Time Key Young Demos Lead Among Broadcast Networks”. Programming Insider. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  41. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 14, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: ESPN Tops Key Adult Demographics with USA-Finland in Hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off”. Programming Insider. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  42. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 21, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: Canada-USA Four Nations Face-Off Championship on ESPN is Most-Watched Non-Olympic Hockey Game On Record”. Programming Insider. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  43. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 28, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Tops in Total Viewers, 18-49 and 25-54”. Programming Insider. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  44. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 7, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: ABC Dramas 9-1-1, Doctor Odyssey and Grey’s Anatomy Return On-Par with Autumn Deliveries, Georgie & Mandy on CBS Rises to New Series-High in Total Viewers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  45. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 14, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: CBS and TNT Share the Lead in Most Key Primetime Figures”. Programming Insider. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  46. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 4, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Wins in Total Viewers and Key Older Demos with Return of Regular Lineup, TNT Tops Among Younger Adults Thanks to NBA Warriors-Lakers”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  47. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 13, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: CBS Tops in Total Viewers, 18-49 and 25-54; ABC Leads in 18-34”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  48. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 25, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: NFL Draft Opening Round on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network Combines for Second-Best Viewership on Record”. Programming Insider. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  49. ^ a b Douglas Pucci (May 2, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: Knicks-Pistons and Nuggets-Clippers NBA Playoffs Lift TNT to Top the Combined 18-49 Deliveries of All Five Broadcast Networks”. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  50. ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (May 9, 2025). “Thursday Ratings: ‘Elsbeth’ on CBS Reaches 7-Week High Among 18-49 with Second Season Finale”. Programming Insider. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  51. ^ a b c “Shows A-Z – Elsbeth on CBS”. The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  52. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 15, 2025). “Sunday Ratings: Matlock and Elsbeth Season Premieres on CBS Each Deliver Respective Series-Best Demo Performances”. Programming Insider. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  53. ^ “(#ELS303) “Good Grief”“. The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  54. ^ “(#ELS304) “Ick, A Bod”“. The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  55. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 31, 2023). “CBS Orders Pilots For The Good Wife Spinoff Elsbeth Starring Carrie Preston & Matlock Reboot With Kathy”. Deadline Hollywood.
  56. ^ White, Peter (May 9, 2023). “Matlock, Elsbeth & Wayans’ Family Comedy Poppa’s House Ordered To Series At CBS”. Deadline Hollywood.
  57. ^ White, Peter (March 3, 2023). “Elsbeth: Wendell Pierce & Carra Patterson Join Carrie Preston in CBS’ Good Wife Offshoot Pilot”. Deadline Hollywood.
  58. ^ Preston, Carrie [@Carriepreston] (December 1, 2023). “First costume fitting today for Season 1 of @elsbethcbs! We start shooting in January. Scripts are being written, clothes are being tried on, sets are being built. I’m positively manic with excitement!” (Tweet). Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
  59. ^ Preston, Carrie [@Carriepreston] (April 20, 2024). “Lighting up your life at the #Elsbeth wrap party! 🪩 Love our crew & cast” (Tweet). Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
  60. ^ King, Robert [@RKing618] (November 23, 2023). “10” (Tweet). Retrieved November 26, 2023 – via Twitter.
  61. ^ García, Pedro [@fuertecito] (June 12, 2024). “La mismísima Elsbeth Tascioni, @carriepreston, hoy en Madrid 💕 Ha estado perfecta en el coloquio. Nos ha contado muchas cosas de #Elsbeth y ha avanzado que la T2 tendrá 20 episodios, indagará más en su pasado y (seguramente) conoceremos a su hijo. La T1 en @MovistarPlus ▶️” (Tweet). Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
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