Landing ‘Elsbeth’ role ‘feels miraculous’ to its star Preston
In “Elsbeth,” the most delightful network drama in years airing Thursdays on CBS, Carrie Preston revives her Emmy-winning character from “The Good Wife,” a bubbly attorney who is not nearly as ditsy as she first appears.
This interview with Preston has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: You’ve been playing Elsbeth for about 15 years. What were your initial thoughts about her?
A:
I knew the minute I read the script that it was something extraordinary. The character just jumped off the page. The fact they were trusting me with it made me nervous because the writing was so wonderful. They described her as a female Columbo. I hadn’t really watched a lot of “Columbo,” but I kind of understood what they meant. She approaches things in an unconventional way.
Q: The spinoff leans even more into “Columbo.” Did you revisit it?
A:
I did go back and watch some of those terrific episodes to get some inspiration. But our show is definitely more of a comedy. It’s basically a circus in the middle of “Law & Order.”
Q: I have a theory that you’re a great student of classic comedy. If that’s true, who were the people that inspired you?
A:
Carol Burnett. I know that’s an easy answer, especially since I’m a redhead now. When I was kid, I remember being obsessed with her. I did a scene the other day, and I got a text from our showrunner, Jonathan Tolins, which read, “That bit with the yoga ball was Lucy level.” It felt like the best review I ever got.
Q: Your husband, Michael Emerson, was in “Lost,” a very different kind of mystery show. But what did you learn from him about what to embrace and avoid when you’re starring in a TV show?
A:
Michael always says, you don’t think ahead, you just play whatever is given to you in the moment. On that show, he didn’t know where it was going to go. I think that’s a good lesson for all of us as actors. Be as present as you can.
Q: You’ve been a standout guest star in so many series. What did you observe that you can put to use now that you are top on the call sheet?
A:
I know the feeling of walking onto somebody else’s show. So I go out of my way to make sure they feel like they are immediately part of the family. All of them get a tote bag from me just to let them know that I’m excited that they’re there. There are only three regulars, so the guest stars get a lot of juicy material.
Q: Who are some of the guest stars?
A:
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jane Krakowski, Retta, Blair Underwood. Those are the ones I’m allowed to share.
Q: What are the advantages of getting this kind of attention now rather than in your 20s? A:
If this had happened to me when I was 22, I wouldn’t have had the history and the struggle. I’ve had a great career, but for this to land at this part of my life isn’t lost on me. It does feel miraculous.