As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating the labyrinthine world of TV shows and their endless twists and turns, I must say that the news about Michael Emerson joining the cast of Elsbeth for Season 2 is nothing short of electrifying! It’s like a dream come true for me, as an ardent fan who’s followed his career since his days on Lost and Evil.
The 2024 TV lineup kicked off the second season of “Elsbeth” in an exhilarating manner, with Nathan Lane portraying a murderer in its premiere. Earlier, the intriguing twist about the popular CBS series had been the mystery surrounding a character from “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight”. However, the latest news from the show’s panel at New York Comic Con might have fans even more eagerly anticipating what’s to come.
Michael Emerson, famously known for his roles in “Lost” and “Evil,” who is also Carrie Preston’s real-life spouse, has been added to the cast for Season 2. This brings to mind what showrunner Jonathan Tolins shared with us regarding the selection of guest stars.
How Michael Emerson Is Joining Season 2
The award-winning actor is scheduled to appear at “Elsbeth” by the year’s end, taking on a special guest role. He will portray Judge Milton Crawford, who serves as a contrasting character to Elsbeth Tascioni. However, it’s important to note that he won’t necessarily be playing an antagonist. In fact, Michael Emerson has expressed interest in joining “Elsbeth” under the condition that his character isn’t a villain. Judge Crawford hails from a long line of New England public officials and sees himself as part of the nation’s upper echelons due to his family history in public service.
Viewers can catch Michael Emerson as Judge Milton Crawford in the upcoming CBS episode airing on December 12th. However, it’s not his only appearance this season – he’ll be back regularly from then on. Judge Crawford isn’t a character who appears just once, and Emerson is slated to reoccur throughout Season 2. This exciting casting news adds an interesting twist to what Carrie Preston previously hinted about characters causing trouble by showing up in more than one episode.
Indeed, Carrie Preston had mentioned Michael Emerson as one of her ideal co-stars during our chat before the emotional Season 1 finale last spring. Since his show Evil wrapped up earlier this year, ending Emerson’s four-season portrayal of Dr. Leland Townsend, it seems fitting that their paths could cross now.
What The Showrunner Told Us About Casting Guest Stars
In its initial run of ten episodes, the first season of Elsbeth managed to attract quite a few well-known actors as guest stars. The series debut itself featured a reunion from True Blood, with Carrie Preston and Stephen Moyer appearing together, with Moyer playing the show’s inaugural villain. Other notable actors like Jane Krakowski, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Retta, Gina Gershon, Keegan-Michael Key, Laura Benanti, and Andre de Shields also made appearances on the series, to name a few.
Including Nathan Lane in the Season 2 premiere added a touch of Broadway flair, prompting me to discuss with showrunner Jonathan Tolins before the return of Elsbeth that the series has showcased exceptional Broadway talents. In an interview, he elaborated on why theater actors are ideal for TV roles and how he identified specific stars who would perfectly embody Elsbeth, stating:
In New York City, the city is home to a multitude of talented actors, many of whom have chosen to reside here due to their deep-seated passion for theater. Our cast, in particular, is brimming with theater enthusiasts. Moreover, I’ve collaborated with some of them before. For instance, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and I were quite familiar, as I wrote my play Buyer & Cellar specifically for him. Similarly, Jane Krakowski and I had previously worked together on Schmigadoon. Keegan-Michael Key and I also share a history, having collaborated on the same project. Laura Benanti is another familiar face; although we didn’t get to work together on a project that eventually materialized at HBO, I knew her well enough.
As a devoted fan, I appreciate that the trio – Carrie Preston, Wendell Pierce, and Carra Patterson – form the core of the captivating show Elsbeth. However, it’s crucial for episodes to have strong guest stars to keep the storylines engaging. Fortunately, Tolins had established relationships with many talented actors, enabling him to anticipate their potential contributions to the series.
We have a fondness for theater actors, as our production is quite dramatic and features extensive dialogue sequences. We excel in working with individuals who possess this kind of experience. To be honest, it’s the actors that I appreciate the most [laughs]. Interestingly, Pamela Adlon, who will appear as a guest star in Episode 205, portrays a chef. I first encountered her when she acted in a play I wrote at the Pasadena Playhouse around 26 years ago. We’ve been friends ever since.
Carrie Preston is the team member on the Elsbeth project who is linked to Michael Emerson, and the two have been husband and wife since 1998. Although he might be most renowned for his parts in series such as Lost, Person of Interest, and Evil, it’s worth noting that he also has a theater background, with roles on stage dating back to the ’80s.
I’m really looking forward to watching Michael Emerson working alongside his real-life wife, but unfortunately, we won’t get to see that until December 12, when the first episode of Elsbeth airs. In the meantime, don’t forget to tune in for new episodes of Season 2 on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, right after Matlock. You can also catch up on both Elsbeth and Evil by subscribing to Paramount+ and streaming them now!
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2024-10-20 23:37