'Elsbeth' Calls [Spoiler]'s Life Into Question, Reveals Surprise Breakup

Elsbeth introduced an onscreen split and hinted that a main character’s life could be in danger following that surprise cast exit.

During the Thursday, October 23, episode of the hit CBS series, Elsbeth’s (Carrie Preston) newest case had her looking into grief influencer Raquel (Julia Fox), who appeared to be linked to her presumed-dead husband’s shocking murder.

The investigation led to a dock in Staten Island, which is where Elsbeth ran into Kaya (Carra Patterson) who was undercover. Elsbeth and Kaya planned a run-in at a bar where they caught each other up on their lives. After viewers saw her return from visiting Angus (Ioan Gruffudd) in Scotland during the season 3 premiere earlier this month, Elsbeth shocked Kaya when she revealed they broke up.

Elsbeth explained that neither of them liked where the other person was residing — and they weren’t looking to compromise or change their lives. Kaya supported Elsbeth before they eventually had to part ways.

Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) later told Elsbeth that Kaya was likely pretending to be an employee at the docks while investigating corruption in Staten Island. He gave Elsbeth another chance to speak with Kaya at the end of the episode when he presented her with a burner phone.

Elsbeth was given the chance to place “one call” to Kaya, but it wasn’t what she expected. Instead of Kaya picking up, a voice on the other line stated, “The number you have reached is not in service.” Elsbeth looked worried as she realized Kaya had to change numbers while on a dangerous mission.

Season 3 has already gone through some major onscreen changes. The new season has opened the door for more surprise guest appearances as Elsbeth has had to adjust to working without Kaya by her side. Fans were surprised when season 2 ended with Patterson, 41, departing the show as a series regular.

“It’s been in development since the beginning of season 2,” Preston, 58, exclusively told Us Weekly in May. “We wanted to honor her and elevate her to detective. So it was very exciting when that happened for the character. Not as exciting for us though because we love Carra. I love Carra and I obviously love playing with her.”

Preston promised that wasn’t the last we will see of Kaya, adding, “She’s still on the show — it’s just in a different capacity. It’s nice because it adds some conflict and it adds some stuff for Elsbeth to wrestle with. It’s going to deepen my character.”

Executive producer Jonathan Tolins weighed in on the shakeup as well.

“I wish I could say there was some grand plan but a lot of it is we have to just see the way the conversation goes in the writers’ room,” he shared in October. “When there’s a surprise for us, that excites us. We know that’s what we should be pursuing.”

Tolins teased that Captain Wagner’s life will now get more screen time, adding, “We [also] introduce some new characters who test Elsbeth’s feelings about honesty and trust. She is cultivating new friendships because of Kaya’s exit.”

When asked whether Kaya will return, Tolins confirmed we will “definitely see” more of Patterson’s character. Preston also spoke to Us about how the show will roll with the changes.

“[This season] it works so well with the detectives. But with every case that Elsbeth goes on, it is not going to be the same detective every time. So we already had that set up with different detectives stepping in and now we’re doing the same thing with the uniformed officers,” Preston explained. “She’ll click with people in different ways.”

The actress went on to share that she enjoyed the shakeup three seasons into the hit CBS show.

“It keeps the show fresh and it keeps Elsbeth on her game more. She’s working with newer people, younger people and people that she hasn’t met before. So she’s getting to know people,” she noted. “I don’t know if we will ever land on just one. Anything can happen. But I really love the new people that we are working with now.”

Elsbeth airs on CBS Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.