Stephen Colbert’s latest CBS venture, Elsbeth, has just gotten bigger as three exciting guest stars are now joining his new show. Colbert has been a central figure on CBS’s late-night lineup since September 8, 2015, when he succeeded David Letterman as host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, bringing political satire and sharp cultural commentary to the network.
Colbert’s version of The Late Show became the top-rated late-night program for nine consecutive seasons. Even though The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is ending in May 2026, Colbert isn’t done with CBS yet. He’s set to appear in The Good Wife spinoff Elsbeth as a fictional late-night host, and the star-studded cast of the show continues to grow.
According to Deadline, after it was announced that Colbert would star in an upcoming Elsbeth season 3 episode, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter, and Lindsay Mendez have also been signed up to guest star in the CBS dramedy. Colbert plays Scotty Bristol, who hosts “Way Late With Scotty Bristol” on Elsbeth’s new season, which will premiere on October 12, 2025.
Amy Sedaris will portray Laurel Hammond-Muntz, the passionate and determined head writer and executive producer of the hit late-night show Way Late. Andy Richter will play Mickey Muntz, the witty yet weary sidekick to Colbert’s character, and he is also Laurel’s devoted husband.
Meanwhile, Officer Grace Hackett, portrayed by Mendez, balances her duties as a police officer with her passion for stand-up comedy. Her unique background becomes especially handy when she teams with Elsbeth on a case revolving around the comedy world, where her familiarity with the scene offers unexpected insights.
What Colbert’s Comeback As A Late Night Show Host With These Guest Stars Means
Colbert had expressed an interest in wanting to feature on Elsbeth in February 2025 when he was speaking with Wendell Pierce. He jokingly asked if Pierce could speak to somebody on Elsbeth’s team and mentioned how he kept asking CBS to cast him as a corpse in the show. He wished to play a body that was found behind a pile of lettuce boxes.
Pierce had assured Colbert that he could make it happen. Interestingly, it appears Colbert’s role was finalized before The Late Show was canceled. It remains to be seen what similarities his character, Bristol, will bear with Colbert as a host of an axed show, and if he really ends up as a body by the end of the episode.
The roles of Laurel, Muntz, and Officer Hackett show strong potential, hinting that CBS may be honoring Colbert’s creative vision for Elsbeth. Mendez is a Tony winner, Sedaris earned Emmy nods for At Home with Amy Sedaris, and Richter is widely known for his longtime partnership with Conan O’Brien on multiple late-night shows.
Colbert’s comeback as a late-night host character, joined by stars like Mendez, Sedaris, and Richter, could offer a fun mix of humor and real-life nods. It lets him playfully reflect on his career and connect with fans while showing he’s still a strong and creative voice in comedy.
Our Take On Elsbeth’s New Castings
Stephen Colbert’s appearance in Elsbeth season 3 could push the show into its most controversial chapter yet. With him playing a fictional late-night host alongside well-known guest stars, the season may explore themes that mirror real-life media tensions. This bold move blurs reality and fiction, sparking curiosity about how far the show will go.
