Film and TV Features
CBS’s 12 Broadway Cameos Elsbeth
From Jane Krakowski to Andre De Shields, see the surprising Broadway guest stars in the first season of the new murder mystery series.
Cara Patterson, Wendell Pierce and Carrie Preeton Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee
In February, CBS debuted its latest spin-off from the series The Good Wife Voting rights, ElsbethAccording to the official synopsis, the series stars Emmy winner and Broadway alum Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, “a smart but unconventional lawyer who works with the NYPD to make unique observations and use her eccentric perspective to catch brilliant criminals.” The investigative murder mystery series also stars Broadway performer Wendell Pierce (death of a salesman) and Cara Patterson (low grade,
The show takes place in and is filmed in New York City. Lucky for us, it features several Broadway stars as guest stars. To mark last night’s season finale, Playbill watched the entire first season (now streaming on Paramount+).
Below are some of our favorite cameos from actors who have stepped onto the stage on Broadway. Elsbeth We’re excited to see which stage favorites will appear in Season 2! Maybe a reunion with Christine Baranski or Audra McDonald?
Stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers.
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Jane Krakowski, Greg Hildreth and Linda Lavin Elsbeth
Elizabeth Fisher/CBS
Episode 2: “A Classic New York Character”
Whether you live in the Big Apple or not, we all know the old saying, “You can’t choose your neighbors.” ElsbethA luxury Upper East Side co-op board knows that phrase well Very Well. Tony winner Linda Lavin plays the building president from hell, who harasses her neighbors to the point they commit…murder? And playing her black sheep son, who endures verbal and psychological abuse from the Witch of the Upper East Side, is the recently revived Greg Hildreth company,
And in a high-profile cameo, Tony winner Jane Krakowski plays Joan, a high-powered real estate agent with wealthy clients…and even bigger secrets!
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jesse tyler ferguson Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 3: “Reality Shock”
When a knock-off star The Real HousewivesReality show star Elsbeth gets an electric shock in the bathtub, so who could be the killer? Could it be a co-star? Or could it be Tony winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the reality show’s creator and producer? Good thing Elsbeth is on board.
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Paloma Garcia-Lee and Retta Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 4: “Love Knocked Off”
Love isn’t easy to find, and it’s even harder to find in the big city. Paloma Garcia-Lee stars as a demanding, self-obsessed, socialite who is wishing for the moon for her love life. Will her luxury matchmaker be able to find her a match or will she have to take other measures to please her client?
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Blair Underwood Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 5: “Ball Girl”
We all know about stage moms, but what about sports dads? Blair Underwood, who recently appeared in the revival of the Tony-winning a soldier’s gameguest stars as the father of an up-and-coming tennis player who wants to make sure his son comes out on top at the US Open… by any means necessary!
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Gina Gershon and Micaela Diamond Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 6: “Ear for Ear”
Beauty is pain… and so is murder! When a social media-famous plastic surgeon dies, her former boss and mentor, played by Gina Gershon, comes under scrutiny. Could her cold and uncaring demeanor be a sign of a killer? Or does she just not care? The investigation falls to a man from last year. the parade Tony nominee Mikaela Diamond plays Detective Edwards, who is none too happy about Elsbeth meddling in her case. Will Diamond’s character seek help or die fighting?
(P.S.: Diamond’s character returns in Episode 8 as the lead detective investigating the death of a reporter.)
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Carrie Preston and Keegan-Michael Key Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 7: “Something Blue”
What could be worse than the bride? How about the father of the bride who will go to any lengths to make sure his family and business reputation succeed? Keegan-Michael Key (Schmigadoon!) plays a shady financial advisor whose daughter’s wedding at a fancy country club leads to a death on the gold course.
P.S.: this episode too Loaded with musical theatre references, including the episode’s climax where Preston and Key dance to “Hot Honey Rag” Chicago,
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Ariane Moayed and Carrie Preston Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 9: “Sweet Justice”
Bartenders, they’re the cheapest therapists on earth. From last season a doll’s house In the revival, Ariane Moayed plays a bar owner and mixologist wizard who does everything possible for all her favorite customers. When her favorite patron is being harassed by an old bully. Will he be her dashing superhero or an outlaw vigilante?
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Laura Benanti and Andre De Shields Elsbeth
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Episode 10: “A Fitting Finale”
In the series’ first-season finale, they call in the big guns! When a photographer is murdered during a fashion show, who could have done it? Was it stage favorite Laura Benanti, playing a retiring supermodel with a Madonna-esque British accent? Or could it be the famous fashion designer and mentor, played by the iconic André De Shields? Which Tony winner did it? You’ll just have to watch to find out.
honorable mentions
Alex Wise as Singer Waiter in Episode 5, TV’s Daniel Davis (Neils) Came) is featured in episode 6 as an older plastic surgeon colleague, and Amber Ardolino and Adam Kaplan are featured in episode 7 as an exotic dancer with a heart of gold and a wedding choreographer, respectively.
Season One Elsbeth Now available to stream on Paramount+.