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For over a decade, Carrie Preston’s portrayal of the eccentric yet brilliant Elsbeth Tascioni has captivated audiences in The Good Wife and The Good Fight. Now, with Elsbeth, she steps fully into the spotlight, bringing her signature wit and unconventional detective skills to the streets of New York. Here, Preston shares what it’s like to embody Elsbeth every day, how the character has evolved, and what unexpected twists lie ahead. She also reflects on her Miami connections, from her directorial debut at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival to imagining Elsbeth solving a hot mystery in South Florida. Miami Living: After playing Elsbeth somewhat sporadically over the last 14 years across The Good Wife and The Good Fight, how does it feel to bring this character into the spotlight in Elsbeth? Carrie Preston: It feels luxurious and indulgent to get to play Elsbeth every day versus just a few episodes a season. The writers have fleshed her out into a fully realized person with a past, an exciting present, and even some uncertainties in the future. I love the jump from a legal show to a police procedural because it really breathes fresh air into the character. I am delighted in Elsbeth becoming a New Yorker and learning how to solve murders in this city she loves so much. And I’ve enjoyed building her relationships with Captain Wagner (the great Wendell Pierce), Officer Blanke (the wonderful Carra Patterson), and her son, Teddy (the adorable Ben Levi Ross). Miami Living: How has portraying Elsbeth in her own show differed from being part of the ensemble cast in The Good Wife and The Good Fight? Was there a shift in how you approached the character for the new series? Carrie Preston: The tone of the show is different than its predecessors, and I obviously have way more to do on Elsbeth than I ever did on those shows. But my approach to the character, as with all characters, remains the same. I always start with the writing (and I was/am blessed with wonderful writing on all of these shows) and I dig as deep as I can to find all the nuances and hidden gems in there. And then I come to set ready to play with the other actors, the director and the crew to make it as wonderful as we can. Miami Living: What aspects of Elsbeth’s character have evolved since the start of the series? In what ways do you see her continuing to develop? Carrie Preston: Her rich emotional life is now on full display, so you’re able to see an array of different colors on her face…. And in her wardrobe! Her past has come back to haunt her a bit this season, and we’re going to see that continue to play out. So, she’s