The CBS crime procedural series Elsbeth has won many fans over with its crime-of-the-week format, led by its titular quirky, clue-sniffing attorney-turned-sleuth. The show has thrived without leaning too much on romantic subplots, but perhaps that could change a bit as we look ahead to Season 3. Season 2, Episode 11, “Tiny Town,” was a Valentine’s Day special that introduced the character of Angus (played by Ioan Gruffudd) as Elsbeth’s new flame. They had a rom-com-esque meet-cute through the Iris, and by the end of the episode, the Scotland-based musician flew a thousand miles to meet her in person, sealing their connection with a kiss. Although Gruffudd’s appearance was initially set as a one-episode deal, seemingly putting an end to their budding romance, showrunner Jonathan Tolin has teased a promising future for the pair.
Angus hasn’t appeared on Elsbeth since “Tony Town,” but his presence has lingered through occasional references in Elsbeth’s conversations with Kaya and her son, Teddy. The most recent nod to the character came in the Season 2 finale “Ramen Holiday,” where, while behind bars, Elsbeth reminisces about him during a chat with one of the perps about romance. Back at Kaya’s farewell party, she hints at leaving New York for a while, which Detective Samantha Edwards (Micaela Diamond) interprets as a possible trip to Scotland to see Angus. These subtle mentions seem far from accidental, but rather, deliberate breadcrumbs building towards Angus’s potential return. When asked in an interview with ScreenRant if Elsbeth and Angus’s romantic story was truly over, Tolin shared:
“All I’ll say is, I hope it’s not closed. I would love to have Ioan [Gruffudd] back on, and I think he’s interested. I would love to have him come back and visit New York again or take the show to Scotland. Although I will say that we are not looking to sort of pair up Elsbeth.
I think one of the things about our show is that this is a woman who’s reinvented herself, who is divorced, and is really focused on her work and not looking to be permanently attached to another person. And I think that’s fresh and true to the character. But yes, we love Angus, and I would love to see him back on.”
Angus and Elsbeth Could Work As Long-Distance Partners
From Tolin’s comments, it’s evident that the show is cautious about diving too deeply into romantic territory. While Elsbeth and Angus’s chemistry is undeniably charming, exploring her love life too extensively could overshadow the series’ core themes. That said, a long-distance dynamic seems like the ideal way to incorporate romance into Elsbeth’s story. This approach would allow the show to touch on their relationship periodically, while still keeping the focus on the main plot. It would also open the door for Angus to contribute to Elsbeth’s cases from afar.
As for what’s to come in Season 3, Tolin played coy but revealed that “the writers’ room will start up again on May 19th.” He also hinted that the next chapter will pick up some threads set in motion by Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson) in episode 18. Catch up with past episodes of Elsbeth on Paramount+ and stay tuned for future updates on Season 3.
