NEED TO KNOW
- Elsbeth, starring Carrie Preston, is currently in its third season
- The procedural dramedy last aired on TV in December 2025
- Season 3 has featured A-list guest stars, including Dianne Wiest and Steve Buscemi
Elsbeth is constantly on the case — but one mystery remains: When will the CBS series return with new episodes?
The third season of the whodunnit, starring Carrie Preston as the titular Elsbeth Tascioni, has introduced a new romance and a Good Fight reunion, while also maintaining the show’s signature parade of celebrity guest actors.
The star-studded installment has so far included familiar faces like Amy Sedaris, David Cross, Andy Richter, Annaleigh Ashford, Dianne Wiest and Steve Buscemi, among others.
Still, the intriguing storylines and memorable characters came to a halt when the latest episode aired in December 2025.
So, when does Elsbeth return? Here’s everything to know about the show coming back.
Is Elsbeth new tonight?
Michael Parmelee/CBS
No, Elsbeth is not on tonight, Jan. 22.
An encore episode from Matlock‘s second season will be airing in Elsbeth‘s usual 10 p.m. ET slot, per TV Guide.
Speaking to Screen Rant in October 2025 about the show, Elsbeth showrunner Jonathan Tolins said he thought “every episode would be a new slice of life of upscale New York.”
He continued, “That there would be a satirical element, because one of the great things about Elsbeth is, if she walks into a room, she will point out the absurdity of the world she’s in.”
“Whether it be Wall Street or a funeral home, whatever it is. And that is an element of the show. It’s a satirical element and also something that just adds a little zaniness,” Tolins concluded.
When does Elsbeth return in 2026?
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Elsbeth will be back with new episodes on Feb. 26.
The most recent episode was the midseason finale, which aired on Dec. 18.
Per a first-look from TVLine, Gen V and Midnight Mass actor Hamish Linklater will be guest-starring on the upcoming return.
How many episodes are left in Elsbeth season 3?
Michael Parmelee/CBS
So far, 10 episodes of Elsbeth season 3 have aired, and according to TV Guide, there will be a total of 20.
Not only has the latest installment introduced a possible new romance with mayoral candidate Alec Bloom (Ivan Hernandez), but it also featured a Good Fight reunion, with Sarah Steele reprising her role of Marissa Gold from The Good Wife spinoff.
“Sarah Steele was at the top of the list of actors from The Good Fight we wanted to have back,” Robert and Michelle King, creators of Elsbeth, The Good Wife and The Good Fight, told Entertainment Weekly. “She can read a medical chart and make it funny. And Marissa Gold is one of our favorite characters, so it was a thrill when Jon Tolins wanted her back too.”
What is airing instead of Elsbeth?
Michael Yarish/CBS
The full CBS schedule has not been announced for the coming weeks, but on Jan. 22 and Jan. 29, episodes of Matlock will air at 10 p.m. ET in place of Elsbeth.
The following nights are filled with CBS special programming, including the Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, and the premiere of Survivor season 50 on Feb. 25.
To celebrate the historic Survivor milestone, encore episodes from previous years will be shown, featuring contestants returning for season 50.
Where can I watch Elsbeth?
Michael Parmelee/CBS
Elsbeth airs on CBS, and is available to stream on Paramount+.
In addition to the current third season, the first two seasons are also available on Paramount+.
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