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In a stunning decision that is having fans reeling, Carra Patterson, the actress behind Officer Kaya Blanke of CBS’s Elsbeth, will not be returning as a series regular on season two. However, she’ll be showing up as a guest star to keep her connection to the quirky procedural going.
Elsbeth, which is a spin-off of The Good Fight and The Good Wife, centers on Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), a smart, if unconventional, attorney who is employed by the NYPD. Patterson’s Officer Blanke has been Elsbeth’s go-to law enforcement partner across Season 1, frequently there to ground the show’s more idiosyncratic elements. Her chemistry with Preston’s Elsbeth set the tone and tenor of the series.
A CBS spokesperson confirmed Patterson’s departure as a regular, saying the decision was creative rather than personal or contractual. “Carra Patterson is an incredible talent,” the statement read. “She brought something special to the role, and we’re thrilled she’ll still be part of the world of Elsbeth in a guest capacity.”
This casting shift comes as the show evolves following its critically acclaimed freshman season, which has been praised for its “howcatchem” style—a format in which the audience sees the crime being perpetrated up front, then follows Elsbeth as she works out how to crack the case. The format has allowed for a range of cameoing guest stars, including Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Retta, Jane Krakowski, and Stephen Moyer.
Fans also get another episode with Patterson prior to her withdrawal from regular cast. May 9’s Season 1 finale, “Ramen Holiday,” guarantees a guest-star-fest with lots of the hit repeat guest stars such as Alyssa Milano, Retta, and Ethan Slater. It is safe to bet that it will also serve as a farewell to Patterson’s character and also as a preview on how her subsequent appearances could possibly be executed.
Although Patterson’s diminished presence is a setback for viewers who had become accustomed to her consistent appearance, her ongoing presence frees up artistic room for writers. It is also a chance for the series to create new dynamics and, perhaps, new characters who will contribute some drama in Season 2.
Elsbeth broadcasts Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS and can be streamed on Paramount+. Season 2 will premiere in early 2026.
