New York City has become synonymous with thebright lights of Broadway. So, it only makes sense that television series set in the Big Apple would utilize the many talents that appear on the Broadway stage. In fact, shows such as theLaw and Orderfranchisehave featured countless Broadway legends– everyone fromPatti LuPoneandRaúl EsparzatoDaveed DiggsandBilly Porter.By tapping into this talented pool of performers, the franchise has delighted theater fans by featuring well-known stage actors. And for folks who aren’t as familiar with the talent that comes from Broadway, these shows canintroduce them to a wider audience. And now, there’s another show that takes place in New York City that isfollowing inLaw and Order’s footsteps by casting many famous Broadway actors.
‘Elsbeth’ Has Attracted Plenty of Broadway Actors
CBS' hit show,Elsbeth, follows Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston),a gifted lawyer from Chicago, who is now living in New York and working for the NYPD to carry out a consent decree within the department.Now in its second season, Elsbeth has become an old pro at solving cases, and is quite indispensable to the precinct. Each episode reveals a murder that has taken place, and Elsbeth is then tasked with rooting out the criminal. With her quirky way of looking at the world and her incredible observational skills, Elsbeth impressively nabs the bad guy each time. Because every episode tracks a different criminal,the structure of the series allows for new and exciting guest stars to stop by every week. While the series has featured huge names who have received fame for their film and television roles (and often in the theater as well), actors such asVanessa Williams,Laurie Metcalf,Retta,andGina Gershonhave all appeared as guest stars in its first two seasons.Elsbethhas also showcased some of NYC’s most famous and illustrious actors who first called the Broadway stage home.
Whether these actors play suspects or the murderers themselves, immensely talented Broadway actors continue to seeElsbethas a mecca. In Season 1, Tony winnersJane Krakowski(who starred on Broadway inStarlight Express,Company,Nine, andShe Loves Me) andJesse Tyler Ferguson(The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,Take Me Out) both bring a fun spark to their respective episodes.In the finale of Season 1,André De Shields(The Wiz,Hadestown) andLaura Benanti(Gypsy,She Loves Me) cross paths in a case that almost stumps Elsbeth. These two actors, also respected Tony winners, are involved in an intriguing mystery that eventually helps Elsbeth realize that she wants to make her home in New York a permanent one.
But Season 2 hasn’t skimped on the Broadway vets either.Matthew Broderick, best known for his work on stage inHow to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingandThe Producers,comes to Elsbeth’s attention in Episode 12as a murderous college admissions expert. Broderick’sProducersco-star and three-time Tony winnerNathan Lane(A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,Angels in America)also pops up inthe Season 2 premiere episodeas an opera-obsessed killer, and Tony winnerVictoria Clark(The Light in the Piazza,Kimberly Akimbo) isfeatured in Episode 13as the wife of a billionaire who dies under suspicious circumstances.Each of these guest stars inhabits these characters in an entertaining and larger-than-life way (courtesy of all of their time spent on the Broadway stage).
7 Broadway Stars Who Transferred to the Silver Screen
These stars got a one-way ticket from Broadway to Hollywood.
Some of the Recurring Characters on ‘Elsbeth’ Are Also Broadway Vets
But theElsbethcasting team isn’t just filling the guest star roles with Broadway actors. There are alsoseveral recurring characterswho are played by actors who have had their names on a Broadway marquee. Tony nomineeMicaela Diamond(The Cher Show,Parade)plays Detective Edwards, who has begrudgingly landed on cases with Elsbeth in several different episodes. She’s the epitome of a no-nonsense New Yorker who seems put-off by Elsbeth’s flashy wardrobe and unconventional police tactics, but who can’t end up denying Elsbeth’s impressive results. Tony nomineeJenn Colella(Come From Away,Suffs) portrays Captain Kershaw, who collaborates with Captain Wagnerin several episodes in Season 2. And, of course, Captain Wagner is played byWendell Pierce, who is also no stranger to Broadway, after being nominated for a Tony for his work in 2023’sDeath of a Salesman.
But it’s not just the cops who are played by Broadway icons.Christian Borleplays lawyer Carter Schmidt, who has come into Elsbeth’s orbit previously in bothThe Good WifeandThe Good Fight. Borle is a two-time Tony winner forPeter and the StarcatcherandSomething Rotten!, but he’s able to seamlessly transition to the small-screenas the smarmy Carter. By casting Broadway actors in these recurring roles, along with the guest star parts,Elsbethhas continued to develop a well-rounded roster of stage legends.
Broadway Actors Bring Some Added Pizzazz to ‘Elsbeth’
Stage actors have to be skilled at bringing out their charismatic side to get audiences to fall in love with their characters (often in a short amount of time). That means thatthe Broadway actors onElsbethare naturally good at portraying a variety of emotions in just one episode(and with some extra pizzazz). This ability to breathe life into their characters (sometimes in a bit of an over-the-top way) translates perfectly to the kooky and unique tone ofElsbeth.These Broadway actors are also essential to making the New York setting appear as authentic as possible. Filling the show with actors who have made New York their home (or who at least struck it big there in the beginning of their careers) is one way to makethe Big Apple settingfeel even more realistic. New York often serves almost as its own character in the series, and casting actors who understand the true magic of the city helps to bring out Elsbeth’s own awe and appreciation towards her new home.
Each episode provides plenty of opportunities for even more Broadway stars to gain new fans and to add a well-reviewed show to their resume. It’s a win-win for not only the television world, but for the Broadway community as well. There are no signs that the series will be slowing down with its roster of Broadway stars. In fact,Wickedmovie alum and Tony nomineeEthan Slater(who starred onstage inSpongeBob SquarePants,Camelot,andSpamalot) will be popping up in the April 10 episode. It was also recently announced that the Season 2 finalewill bring back nine previous guest stars, including Gershon and De Shields, for moreElsbethescapades. And since the show has already beenpicked up for a Season 3,it’s likely thatElsbethwill continue to be a destination for Broadway actors looking to show off their talent.
New episodes ofElsbethair on Thursday nights on CBS, with episodes available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
