Elsbeth is set for season 3, and it has a special premiere time and night for the new season. However, it will move back to its usual time afterward.
In just two seasons, Elsbeth has established itself as one of CBS’s best mystery shows. It’s a fun twist on the usual procedural as each episode opens with a guest star shown as the killer, with the audience knowing from the start who committed the crime.
The episode then moves to eccentric attorney Elsbeth Tascioni (Emmy award winner Carrie Preston), who works with the NYPD. Elsbeth is soon involved in the case where her quirky mind is able to piece together the clues and engage in a battle of wits with the killer.
The show has been a great success on CBS, with a third season ordered in May 2025 before season 2 wrapped up. Now we know when it’s arriving on a special date and time!

When does Elsbeth season 3 premiere?
CBS announced its schedule in mid-July with its premiere dates, many of which are coming in October. Among them is Elsbeth season 3, which premieres on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET (and at 9 p.m. PT) following 60 Minutes and the Matlock season 2 premiere. The show then moves to its usual timeslot of Thursdays at 10/9c on Oct. 16.
The special Sunday airing is no doubt CBS hoping to get more eyes on the series. Having it follow NFL football, 60 Minutes and the hit Matlock will get more attention than just a Thursday night premiere and build on the show’s success. That will carry to its regular Thursday night airings which can boost the ratings a bit more.
Elsbeth will see a big cast change in season 3
There’s no word yet on which guest stars will be appearing on the show. It’s confirmed there is going to be a big cast shift as Carra Patterson, who played Elsbeth’s loyal policewoman aide Kayla Blanke, is leaving the show as a series regular. The series is writing Kaya off as joining a special task force in Washington D.C. However, it does sound like the character will make a couple of appearances later.
It’s unclear if this means a new regular police character joining the show or if Elsbeth works with a rotating pack of police officers and detectives. It could be the show decides to put the focus on Elsbeth and Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) with the guest stars acting as a major part of the episodes. The series always rests on Preston’s delightful performance and the guest stars as the killers, sparking things up.
So fans of the loveable, nutty crime solver know when to tune in on a special night to see Elsbeth stopping killers as only she can!
Elsbeth season 3 premires on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT on CBS.
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