‘Elsbeth’ Series Premiere Sets Record Ratings – Inside the Good Wife Spin-Off Everyone Is Talking About

Updated Schedule, Star Power and Streaming Details for Elsbeth Season 3 Premiere CBS has locked in an event-level launch for Elsbeth Season 3, scheduling the premiere episode “Yes, And…” for Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET immediately after NFL coverage before the series returns to its regular Thursday 10 p.m. slot on Oct. 16. The network strategy mirrors last season’s post-football boost and signals confidence that the Good Wife spinoff can convert casual viewers into weekly appointment audiences. Stephen Colbert Headlines a Comedy-Laced Crime The premiere’s hook is Late Show host Stephen Colbert, who trades his real-life desk for a fictional late-night stage as Scotty Bristol. When tension erupts backstage between Bristol, head writer Laurel (Amy Sedaris) and her on-air sidekick husband Mickey (Andy Richter), Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) is called in to untangle a case that blurs the line between punchlines and peril. Expect Colbert’s meta performance and Sedaris’ improv roots to amplify the show’s trademark mix of eccentric humor and inverted-mystery plotting. Who’s Back—and Who’s New—in Season 3 • Carrie Preston returns as the relentlessly curious Elsbeth. • Wendell Pierce reprises his role as Captain Wagner, who is still wary of Elsbeth’s unorthodox methods. • Carra Patterson’s Detective Kaya Blanke appears as a guest star after exiting the main cast late last season. • Lindsay Mendez debuts as Officer Greta Ortiz, an aspiring stand-up comic who could become Elsbeth’s new NYPD liaison. Guest-Star Momentum Season 2 made headlines by stacking episodes with Nathan Lane, Vanessa Williams and Michael Emerson. CBS is keeping the streak alive: early casting grids list Tony- and Emmy-winning names for multiple Season 3 arcs, though only Colbert, Sedaris and Richter are officially confirmed for the opener so far. How to Watch • Broadcast: CBS on Sunday, Oct. 12 (special slot) and Thursday, Oct. 16 (regular slot). • Streaming: Next-day on Paramount+ for subscribers with a Showtime plan; live simulcast for Paramount+ with Live TV tiers. • On-Demand: CBS.com and the CBS app offer rolling five-episode windows for cable/satellite authentications. What Makes Elsbeth a Fall Must-Watch 1. Familiar IP with a Fresh Lens – The series imports fan-favorite lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni from The Good Wife/The Good Fight but flips the script into a comedic inverted whodunit format. 2. Star-Studded Cases – Weekly killers are revealed up front, luring household-name guest stars eager for juicy villain roles. 3. Water-Cooler Mystery – Each episode layers long-arc NYPD politics over standalone crimes, making it binge-worthy yet easy to jump into. 4. Time-Slot Advantage – A post-NFL launch historically boosts live viewership; Thursday 10 p.m. remains a high-value drama slot. SEO Fast Facts • Premiere date: Oct. 12, 2025 (special), Oct. 16, 2025 (timeslot) • Episode title: “Yes, And…” • Stephen Colbert guest-stars as Scotty Bristol • Series stars: Carrie Preston, Wendell Pierce • Network: CBS; streaming on Paramount+ • Genre tags: legal dramedy, crime comedy, inverted mystery Bottom Line With Colbert’s meta cameo, a stacked comedic ensemble and a strategic NFL lead-in, Elsbeth Season 3 is positioned to convert curiosity into ratings and streamers into subscribers. Mark your calendar for Oct. 12 and keep Thursday nights open—Elsbeth’s eccentric brand of justice is about to take late-night TV by storm.