If you’re like me and enjoy a good legal drama, then you probably spend way too much time scrolling through Paramount+ for your next favorite show. That’s how I stumbled across Elsbeth on CBS, a surprisingly fun and offbeat crime series that completely drew me in. While I initially started it for the courtroom element, I quickly realized Elsbeth is less about legal battles and more about quirky detective work—and I’m not mad about it.
What Is Elsbeth?
Elsbeth is a spinoff of The Good Wife, following the eccentric and brilliant lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni as she relocates from Chicago to New York City. Played by Carrie Preston, Elsbeth isn’t your typical lead. She’s unpredictable, disarming, and extremely sharp, often using her oddball charm to unravel even the most complex of cases.
Think Monk meets Columbo meets The Good Wife—a combo that somehow just works.
Each episode usually starts with the audience seeing the crime or “bad guy moment” upfront. The tension doesn’t come from “whodunit” but from watching how Elsbeth and the team retrace the steps, gather the clues, and break the case down. It’s a satisfying formula that works especially well with the show’s humor and heart.
A Closer Look at the Cast
Carrie Preston makes this show. You might recognize her from her Emmy-winning role as Elsbeth in The Good Wife, and she brings even more personality and depth to the character here. She’s quirky, observant, and totally unlike any other detective or lawyer on TV.
Then there’s Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Suits) who plays Captain Wagner, the NYPD officer reluctantly working with Elsbeth. He’s stern but grounded and serves as the perfect foil to Elsbeth’s unconventional methods.
Cara Patterson also stands out as Officer Kaya Blanke—Elsbeth’s partner-in-investigation who often acts as her guide to how things “normally” work in the NYPD. And fans of Person of Interest will love seeing Michael Emerson in a guest role; his appearance was a highlight and a reminder of how fun it is to see familiar faces pop up.
Production Notes & Background
• Creators: Elsbeth was created by Michelle King and Robert King, the team behind The Good Wife and The Good Fight.
• Network: CBS (with streaming availability on Paramount+)
• Seasons: As of now, Elsbeth has two seasons.
• Genre: Crime, Comedy-Drama, Legal Drama (light on the “legal”)
• Spinoff: From The Good Wife, though you don’t need to watch the original to enjoy this one.
• Tone: Quirky, clever, feel-good detective work
Elsbeth vs. The Good Wife
After getting hooked on Elsbeth, I actually went back and started watching The Good Wife. It’s more traditional in tone—intense, dramatic, and definitely more focused on the legal side of things. Both shows are excellent, but if you’re looking for something with a little more levity and charm, Elsbeth is the one to start with.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of shows like Monk, Psych, or Columbo, Elsbeth will be right up your alley. The writing is smart, the characters are fun, and the mysteries are satisfying without being too heavy. It’s a great show to binge on a weekend, especially if you want something that blends brains with heart.
I’m currently watching my way through Season 2 and really hoping CBS renews it for a third. If you’re into detective-style series with quirky leads, give Elsbeth a shot and let me know what you think!
See you in the next post—happy watching!
~ Sean Flac 2.0
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