Season 3 of the CBS series Elsbeth is coming soon to television and will feature a guest star in the form of a certain late-night television host who got people talking over the 2025 summer break. Find out how Stephen Colbert will be featured in the show’s season premiere episode.
Elsbeth follows attorney Elsbeth Tascioni, played by Carrie Preston, who helps the police find criminals and has her own way of solving the cases that come her way. It became a hit for the network and now will feature a big guest star in the form of Late Show host Stephen Colbert.
His appearance on Elsbeth season 3 was revealed soon after the cancellation of his late night show, which came after comments made regarding a merger between Paramount+ and Skydance. While The Late Show is still slated to air through the 2025-2026 television season, this will allow viewers to see Colbert in another setting besides his normal appearance discussing the latest news.
In a Elsbeth season 3 premiere synopsis, which is titled, “Yes, And…” Colbert will portray a talk show host named Scotty Bristol, whom Elsbeth meets due to rising tensions behind the scenes involving him, a head writer for the show named Laurel, and the woman’s husband, Mickey, who is essentially an on-air sidekick.
What can fans expect from Stephen Colbert's appearance on Elsbeth season 3?
Based on what Elsbeth does for a living, this could mean something happens that brings her in, whether due to a detective investigation or her skills as a lawyer is needed. Plus, the episode will also introduce her to a police officer who aspires to work as a stand-up comic.
This appearance by Colbert could also give the series a boost in ratings as it enters its third season on the network. Elsbeth has boasted around 4 million viewers in its season 2 ratings while Colbert’s Late Night has seen a jump in ratings since the cancellation announcement.
Colbert was offered the chance to appear on the show thanks to Elsbeth actor Wendell Pierce, who offered to help get him a part on the show back in February 2025 when he appeared on The Late Show. Other guest stars on the episode will include Andy Richter and Amy Sedaris, who portray husband and wife duo Laurel and Mickey, who worked closely with Bristol and could likely be involved in the mystery Elsbeth will no doubt look into.
There had been a joke made by Colbert about portraying a corpse on television; however, there are no clues as to whether he will portray a victim or perpetrator in the episode. Whatever his role, fans are looking forward to seeing what he brings to the show.
Elsbeth season 3 premieres on Sunday, Oct. 12 at a special time at 9:30 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. It will air at its regular time for the second episode on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 10/9c.
Stay tuned to Precinct TV for more updates on Elsbeth and more.