Creators Michelle and Robert King of Elsbeth openly discuss the potential for cameos from The Good Wife characters. The new CBS series features Carrie Preston reprising her award-winning role as the unorthodox lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni. Transitioning from her appearances in The Good Wife and The Good Fight, the spinoff follows Tascioni as she relocates from Chicago to New York to supervise the NYPD's activities following a series of controversial arrests. The dramedy also stars Carra Patterson and Wendell Pierce from Suits.
In the premiere episode of Elsbeth, there were mentions of Tascioni being replaced in her new NYPD position by Cary Agos (portrayed by Matt Czuchry in The Good Wife). The Kings discussed these references in an interview with TVLine, addressing the possibility of Julianna Margulies returning as Alicia Florrick. While they do not entirely rule it out, it seems unlikely to occur in the near future. Their comments can be found below:
Michelle King mentioned that they think about their friends in Chicago, but they don't expect them to travel to New York anytime soon. Elsbeth is currently in New York, and part of the excitement is that she is enjoying the city on her own, without any companions. She is having a great time exploring the city solo. Alicia, on the other hand, is not working with the NYPD to solve crimes.
Robert King jokingly commented that they will check in with Alicia when she commits a murder.
Why Elsbeth Is A Very Different Kind Of Show?
Carrie Preston smiling and wearing a Statue of Liberty hat as Elsbeth in Elsbeth season 1, episode 1 - Why Elsbeth Is A Very Different Kind Of Show?
Although Elsbeth is a spinoff of the CBS show, it can be enjoyed on its own without needing to know about Tascioni's other appearances.
The difference between Elsbeth and previous shows like The Good Wife is evident from the start. While The Good Fight and Evil, also created by the Kings, had dramatic or moody opening sequences in monochrome, Elsbeth's opener is cheerful and bright. It takes inspiration from the upbeat sitcoms of the 1990s rather than the more serious tone of prestige television.
Elsbeth stands out in substance as well. Unlike The Good Wife, which had a large supporting cast centered around Alicia, Elsbeth features only three main characters. The show follows a guest-of-the-week format, with Tascioni solving a mystery in each episode before moving on to the next one.
On the other hand, The Good Fight focuses on how its characters react to current events during the Trump presidency. Despite being a spinoff, Elsbeth can be enjoyed on its own without prior knowledge of Tascioni's other appearances. The show's creators, The Kings and showrunner Jonathan Tolins, have highlighted the episodic nature of Elsbeth.
Although there is an overarching narrative and a hidden reason for Tascioni's presence in New York, the show is a well-executed classic television series. Positive reviews indicate that the dramedy will attract viewers, whether or not they were fans of The Good Wife.
Elsbeth returns to CBS with new episodes starting Thursday, April 4, at 10 PM ET. It also streams on Paramount+.
Source: TVLine
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the potential for cameos from beloved characters from "The Good Wife" in the new spinoff series "Elsbeth." While it's exciting to consider the possibility of seeing Alicia Florrick grace the screen once more, it's also understandable that the creators want to give Elsbeth her own space to shine. The show's focus on its lead character and its distinct tone and format suggest that it can stand on its own as a compelling and enjoyable series.
The comments from the Kings reveal their playful and thoughtful approach to the issue of cameos. While they don't rule out the possibility entirely, they emphasize that Elsbeth's journey in New York is currently her own. The show's success, as evidenced by positive reviews, suggests that viewers are embracing this fresh take on the character. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how the creators balance the desire for fan service with the need to maintain Elsbeth's independence and unique identity.