Share and Follow
It’s Halloween week on the show Elsbeth, and the latest episode promises a thrilling guest appearance by Annaleigh Ashford, who’s set to play a character far removed from her Broadway roots.
In an exclusive clip shared with DECIDER from the October 31 episode titled “Ick, a Bod,” Ashford takes on the role of a suburban housewife and concerned mother. Her character crosses paths with Elsbeth Tascioni, played by Carrie Preston, during a visit to the enigmatic town of Sleepy Hollow. The clip shows Ashford’s character conspicuously leading Elsbeth, a consultant for the NYPD, out of a maze, which only raises more questions about her motives.
The episode synopsis reveals that “Ick, a Bod” delves into Elsbeth’s investigation of Ashford’s character amidst a neighborhood rivalry that promises a “ghoulish climax.” Before reaching the chilling conclusion, Elsbeth, clad in an Eliza Doolittle costume inspired by My Fair Lady, is determined to unravel the mystery.
In the preview, Elsbeth tests a theory by pretending to receive a phone call, tricking Ashford’s character into thinking her daughter is being arrested just outside the maze. “Salutations,” Elsbeth greets in an accent reminiscent of Eliza Doolittle post-transformation, before announcing, “they’re going to charge her” and “they’re cuffing her now.”
This ruse prompts Ashford’s character to hurriedly navigate out of the maze without hesitation, revealing her familiarity with the maze’s layout and suggesting she could move through it with ease.
“Let me just catch my breath and we’ll resume the maze,” Ashford’s character says. “No, not necessary, I got what I needed. You navigated your way in and out of that maze, no problem,” Elsbeth retorts, throwing some heavy suspicion on the beige-dressed neighbor.
“You big city cops are unbelievable,” Ashford’s character says as Elsbeth responds, once again resuming her Eliza Doolittle accent, “I’m not a cop, I’m a lady.”
Elsbeth fans know this is a departure from her typical line about how she’s not really a police officer, but rather someone who works alongside the police. It’s a fun Halloween switch-up! Watch the entire clip from Season 3 Episode 3 in the player above.
Ashford is the latest actress to join the Elsbeth guest star roster, after Season 3 Episode 2 featured Julia Fox, and the season opener included Stephen Colbert, Andy Richter, and Amy Sedaris. Also joining the cast for Season 3 is another Broadway leading lady, Lindsay Mendez, fresh off her Tony win for Merrily We Roll Along.
In fact, when DECIDER sat down with Preston just before the Season 3 premiere, she joked that — as a Merrily fan — she may be trying to get Mendez to put in a good word to Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe about stopping by their set for a future episode.
“‘Hey guys, I’m having a good time on this show,’” Preston said with a laugh of what she hopes Mendez tells Groff and Radcliffe. “We would love that. I mean, Jonathan Groff is very busy with his show and Daniel Radcliffe is pretty busy himself. These guest stars are so great that it’s a miracle that we’re able to even work out any of their scheduling. But of course, I would love that.”
Elsbeth airs on CBS Thursday nights at 10 p.m. and streams the next day on Paramount+.
Paramount+ offers two subscription plans. The ad-supported Essential plan costs $7.99/month, while the ad-free Premium plan (which comes with Showtime and live CBS) costs $12.99/month. New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial.