Stephen Colbert serves as the host of a crime drama series.
Stephen Colbert, known for his popular late-night talk show, is stepping into a new role as an actor in the drama-crime series "Elsbeth." The CBS series, a spin-off of the legal dramas "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight," will see Colbert play a late-night talk show host named Scotty Bristol in the fictional show Way Late with Scotty Bristol.
The guest appearance was planned before the announcement of The Late Show cancellation and came about with help from Wendell Pierce, a cast member on Elsbeth. Details about the exact character involvement in the police procedural storyline or how significant his role will be in the episode remain unclear until it airs. The episode's air date has not been publicly confirmed yet, but the guest appearance news was reported in early August 2025, suggesting it will be part of a 2025 or early 2026 episode given the show's timeline.
The U.S. network CBS announced the end of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in mid-July. The cancellation sparked outrage among fans and many of Colbert's colleagues. Traditional media formats may struggle to keep up with the many untruths and distortions in their coverage of President Trump. These shows have been known to use sharp satire to expose Trump to ridicule in front of their audience.
Several talk show hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers, showed their support for Stephen Colbert following the cancellation announcement. Comedian Jon Stewart commented on the cancellation of Colbert's show in his "The Daily Show," stating, "I think the answer lies in the fear and preemptive compliance that's gripping all American institutions at this moment."
Carrie Preston plays the eccentric lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni in "Elsbeth," a character who assists the police in solving murder cases. The third season of "Elsbeth" airs on the U.S. network CBS.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his opinion on the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show, stating, "I love that Colbert got fired. His talent was smaller than his ratings." The exact details of Colbert's preparation timing have not been disclosed, but it likely coincided with the wrap-up period of The Late Show, which CBS announced would end in May 2026.
In a surprising twist, Colbert's new role in "Elsbeth" will see him return to the small screen as an actor, rather than a host. This move marks a fresh departure for the comedian, who has built a successful career in late-night television. The exact nature of his role and its impact on the storyline are yet to be revealed, adding an element of intrigue to the upcoming season of "Elsbeth."
Colbert's foray into acting in the drama-crime series "Elsbeth" promises a departure from his late-night talk show host persona, offering a fresh angle in the entertainment world centered around celebrities and pop-culture. This guest appearance, set in the fictional show Way Late with Scotty Bristol, could redefine his career and potentially inject a new dimension into the ongoing police procedural storyline of the series.
