Carrie Preston's return to television as Elsbeth Tascioni for a TV show of the same name was an immediate hit earlier this year, and quickly proved that it wasn't reliant on The Good Wife or The Good Fight. Elsbeth's Season 2 premiere is surely one of the most highly-anticipated network returns in the 2024 TV schedule after how Season 1 ended. While the first episode of the second season is still months away, Preston recently shared some looks behind the scenes that reminded me of what she told CinemaBlend earlier this year about guest stars.
First things first! Naturally, the BTS glimpses that she has shared don't give away huge plot spoilers about how Season 2 will pick up after the first season finale that decided Elsbeth's fate with the NYPD. Captain Wagner was able to get over his feeling of betrayal and not only allowed her to stay, but gave her an office of her own to conclude an episode that Carrie Preston described as "really emotional." On Instagram, Preston shared a pic that proves Elsbeth is making the most of her new office in Season 2:
It's almost strange to see Carrie Preston standing in Elsbeth mode without carrying half a dozen tote bags! She also shared a behind-the-scenes video of the first day of filming Season 2, and it's easy to believe her caption that she's "Thrilled to be back." How could anybody feel differently when being hand-delivered an ice cream cone while at work? Take a look:
Hugs all around! Seeing the leading lady surrounded not only by her co-stars but also all of the crew who help make the show happen reminded me of when I spoke with her for the Season 1 finale back in the spring. At the time, I asked Carrie Preston if she had any dream guest stars for Season 2 after Season 1 packed in so many celebs, including but certainly not limited to Keegan-Michael Key, Jane Krakowski, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and even Stephen Moyer to give Preston a True Blood reunion.
Pondering guest stars in Season 2, the Elsbeth leading lady said:
Well, I have to say Michael Emerson, my husband. I would definitely love to have him. But referring back to that ocean of incredible talent here in New York, I could name dozens of brilliant actors that I would love to have on the show. And they could cast a dozen other ones, and I would be just as happy. I get excited to find out who they cast as the scripts come in. I really trust all of them, because they've been doing such an extraordinary job already.
Michael Emerson is a well-known actor in his own right thanks to roles in shows like Lost and Evil, and it would certainly be fun to see the spouses working together on the show. But it's also worth noting that filming in New York City means access to plenty of actors who are renowned in the theater, with the Season 1 finale alone including Laura Benanti and André de Shields. Preston went on:
I think now the word is out that it's a good set to work on, and that the material is good, and I think people have seen the show. They've seen the actors and the caliber of actors that we've had. So I hope that that's going to bring even more people who are wanting to come and play with us for a couple of weeks.
At the time of writing, no guest stars have yet been announced for the second season, but hopefully that will change as the new episodes get closer. Elsbeth Season 2 premieres on Thursday, October 17 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS. Thursdays are going to be strong nights of primetime on the network, opening with the Young Sheldon spinoff called Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, followed by Ghosts' fourth season. The lineup then switches from sitcoms to the first season of Kathy Bates' Matlock reboot, followed then by Elsbeth.
If you want to revisit any of the first season of Carrie Preston's series, you can find every episode so far streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.
