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Elsbeth

Elsbeth

You will know her name.

2024–Ongoing4 seasons57 episodes~43 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

After her successful career in Chicago, Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney, utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Elsbeth?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Elsbeth streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Elsbeth?

Elsbeth earns 6 badges, led by Standout acting and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Elsbeth worth watching?

Elsbeth's Midcredits score is the 63rd percentile of all shows, from 22K ratings across 5 sources. 81% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

63rd percentile

Better received than 63% of shows

61st percentile among Comedy68th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)49th
Approval (how many liked it)74th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

70 /100

49th percentile of all shows

49th percentile among Comedy54th percentile among 2020s

Critics 69 · Audience 71

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

81% liked it

74th percentile of all shows

69th percentile among Comedy78th percentile among 2020s
81% rated it 7–1019% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

84th percentile

21K ratings across platforms

75th percentile among Comedy86th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show is a light, Columbo-inspired 'howcatchem' driven by Carrie Preston's quirky performance, with supporters finding it charming and critics finding the formula repetitive and the protagonist's eccentricity excessive.

Fans praised

  • Carrie Preston's magnetic, charming performance as the quirky lead
  • Clever, witty writing and a refreshing lighthearted tone
  • Entertaining Columbo-style 'howcatchem' format with great guest stars

Detractors panned

  • Repetitive, formulaic plots with Elsbeth instantly knowing the killer
  • Lazy writing with unrealistic police incompetence and obvious clues
  • Elsbeth's quirkiness becomes over-the-top and annoying over time

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

Carrie Preston praised as magnetic and charming; some detractors find over-acting tiresome

DialogueDivisive65

Witty and humorous lines; detractors find dialogue trite and forced

HumorDivisive60

Light comedy lands for fans; detractors find it cringey and overdone

CharactersDivisive55

Elsbeth's quirkiness loved or hated; supporting cast seen as one-dimensional, especially police

PacingDivisive50

43-minute episodes feel rushed compared to Columbo's 90-minute runtime

OriginalityDivisive35

Direct Columbo homage seen as derivative; fans enjoy the familiar formula

Plot and storyDivisive30

Highly repetitive 'howcatchem' structure; mysteries shallow and predictable

Tension20

Zero suspense as killer revealed upfront; no mystery or thrill

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 17 points higher than men.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 11 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 21 points higher than non-US viewers.

Episodes

4 seasons

Season 4 · 2026 · 5 episodes

  • S4E1

    Crazy in Love

    Oct 8, 202643 min
  • S4E2

    Death of a Playwright

    Oct 15, 202642 min
  • S4E3

    Consciously Unsistered

    Oct 22, 202642 min
  • S4E4
    S4E4

    A Bad Lie

    Airs Nov 5, 202642 minUpcoming
  • S4E5
    S4E5

    Episode 5

    Airs Nov 12, 2026Upcoming

Watch experience

What is Elsbeth like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeTenseWarm
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe show treats its quirky lawyer protagonist with affection and uses her oddball perspective as a source of gentle comedy while playing the procedural mystery straight.
The rideEpisodes maintain a moderate intensity with tension from the investigation balanced by Elsbeth's quirky warmth and the comedic tone.
StructureEpisodes begin with the murder, then proceed chronologically through Elsbeth's investigation to the confrontation, following a standard three-act structure.
Episode formatEach episode features a self-contained murder case (reverse-mystery) while a slow-burn arc involving Captain Wagner's possible corruption unfolds across seasons.
Season formatThe series has ongoing serial elements, but each season maintains its own case-of-the-week format with a season-long arc (e.g., season 1's focus on the consent decree and Wagner).

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayViewers leave entertained by Elsbeth's quirky methods and the satisfying comeuppance of criminals, feeling uplifted.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% (this title) · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

8% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEach episode follows Elsbeth as she identifies and corners the killer, typically shown at the start, in a procedural investigation that uncovers the truth.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6% (this title)
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsDeception · 6% of showsCommunity: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on Elsbeth's unorthodox pursuit of justice by seeing through deception and holding killers accountable, all within the context of her monitoring the NYPD.
StanceThe show celebrates justice and the cleverness of its protagonist, affirming her unorthodox methods in a largely lighthearted tone.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Siddhartha Khosla
SettingModern New York City, police precincts and crime scenes
MusicA light, playful orchestral score underscores Elsbeth's quirky perspective.

Content guide

Is Elsbeth okay for kids?

TV-14

Elsbeth is rated TV-14. As of October 26, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (31/100), language at mild (23/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (39/100) and frightening material at mild (24/100). Overall it is heavier than 13% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • Canada18+
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • South Korea15
  • Russia16+
  • Spain12
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 14% of all showsHeavier than 13% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 25%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 33%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 10%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 57%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 21%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is drug and alcohol content, heavier than 57% of TV-14 shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Elsbeth have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Elsbeth?

Cast

Carrie Preston
as Elsbeth Tascioni
Best so far: Their highest-reaching show role to date — the title is too recent to say more.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Wendell Pierce
as Captain C.W. Wagner
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Carra Patterson
as Officer Kaya Blanke
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Daniel K. Isaac
as Lt. Steve Connor
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Danny Mastrogiorgio
as Detective Bobby Smullen
Molly Price
as Detective Donnelly
Fredric Lehne
as Lieutenant Dave Noonan
Ben Levi Ross
as Teddy Tascioni
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Micaela Diamond
as Detective Edwards
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Danny McCarthy
as Agent Fred Celetano

Crew

Directed by

Bille Woodruff, Lily Mariye, Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Peter Sollett, Darren Grant, James Whitmore Jr.
+15 more, Tyne Rafaeli, Lionel Coleman, Joe Menendez, Rosemary Rodriguez, Mary Lou Belli, Nancy Hower, Fong-Yee Yap, Rachel Raimist, Nick Gomez, Robert King, Rob Hardy, Ron Underwood, Aisha Tyler, Sam Hoffman, Robin Givens

Written by

Bryan Goluboff, Erica Shelton, Eric Randall, Zoe Marshall, Sarah Beckett, Leah Nanako Winkler
+8 more, Wade Dooley, Matthew K. Begbie, Anju Andre-Bergmann, Erica Larson, Jonelle Lightbourne, Robert King, Michelle King, Jonathan Tolins

Cinematography

Alec JarnaginJohn B. AronsonFred Murphy

Edited by

Kate Rose Itzkowitz, Marnee Meyer, Edward Chin, Anne O'Brien, Katherine Skjerping, Matthew Kregor

Music by

David BuckleySiddhartha KhoslaGarrett Gonzales

Produced by

Bryan Goluboff, Erica Shelton, Eric Randall, Zoe Marshall, Sarah Beckett, Leah Nanako Winkler
+7 more, Margo Johnston, Gail Barringer, Michelle King, Robert King, Lauren Bambino, Jonathan Tolins, Liz Glotzer

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