Carrie Preston is full of praise for Stephen Colbert as he prepares for his highly anticipated appearance in Elsbeth.
The Emmy-winning actress couldn’t help but gush over her new co-star, calling the late-night icon “such a great actor” after filming together for the series’ Season 3 premiere, titled Yes, and…, broadcast Sunday on CBS.
The episode marks Colbert’s first major acting project following the unexpected cancellation of The late show.
“It was really serendipitous because we had been working for months and months to get these actors on the show,” Preston said. Us every week.
“Jonathan Tolins wrote the script specifically for Stephen Colbert. Then, the week before filming began, it was announced that his series was over.”
The timing left Elsbeth’s team unsure if Colbert would still be able to participate.
“We were worried he would be too busy with this and wouldn’t be able to come,” Preston admitted.
“But he came and not only did he come, but he came fully prepared. He was fully prepared and so happy to be there.”
In Yes, and…, Preston’s Elsbeth finds herself navigating the high-pressure world of late-night comedy when tensions flare between talk show host Scotty Bristol (played by Colbert), his head writer Laurel (Amy Sedaris), and her on-air sidekick, her husband Mickey (Andy Richter).
The episode also introduces a new police officer, played by Lindsay Mendez, who moonlights as a stand-up comedian.
Preston said working with Colbert exceeded all expectations.
“He was such a great actor,” she shared. “He was so much fun playing with him and he was everything you wanted and more.”
Despite the recent end of The late showColbert continues to stay busy under the CBS umbrella.
He recently revealed that he would lend his voice to the vice dean of digital in Star Trek: Starfleet Academypremieres January 15 on Paramount+.
