- Crime scene in the best Columbo tradition
For fans of crime entertainment with the typical "Whodunit" structure, the choice has always been a difficult one. Whether national or international productions, streaming or TV, film or series - the search for the unknown culprit is perhaps the most common source of suspense on television. But what if the murderer is revealed at the beginning of the story, and the biggest mystery is not their identity, but how the investigators will catch them?
This refreshing yet traditional approach is taken by the new series "Elsbeth", a spin-off of the successful drama series "The Good Wife" and "The Good Fight". In "Elsbeth", fan favorite Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston, 57) travels to New York, where the sharp-witted lawyer joins forces with the NYPD to hunt down criminals. She does so starting August 6th - just like Peter Falk (1927-2011) in his prime.
New city, new challenges - that's what it's all about
As a quirky and lovable, but above all incredibly talented lawyer, Elsbeth Tascioni has so far helped make the streets of Chicago safer. Now, in her new role as an investigator in her new home of New York City, she supports the NYPD in solving complex cases. Or rather, the NYPD supports her.
The audience with the knowledge advantage
It may seem counterintuitive that tension is created even though the audience already knows who the killer is. However, "Elsbeth" uses this trick in most of its ten episodes in the first season to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. How well this can work was proven by a certain Peter Falk, who managed to keep audiences engaged for ten seasons in his iconic role as LAPD commissioner Columbo.
The secret was the knowledge advantage the audience had over the title character. Even in "Columbo", the audience usually caught the murderer red-handed at the beginning of each episode and knew their motives. The anticipation was not for the reveal of the culprit, but for the satisfying moment when it finally clicked for Columbo - and shortly thereafter, the handcuffs. Especially when the culprits had previously been boasting about their supposedly foolproof alibis.
With the abundance of modern "Whodunit" crime dramas, it's all the more pleasing that "Elsbeth" is now joining the ranks of this rare genre (known as "Howcatchem") and making its way to Germany. After all, even Alfred Hitchcock - "Mister Suspense" himself - was a supporter of this approach, as he demonstrated impressively in his 1954 adaptation of "Dial M for Murder".
With the warmest recommendations
Title character Tascioni arrives in New York with the warmest recommendations. Actress Carrie Preston has appeared as the unconventional, quick-witted lawyer in both the original series "The Good Wife" and its later spin-off "The Good Fight". She has not only gained a loyal fanbase but also won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the role. It's only natural, then, that Elsbeth has now been given her own (independent) series.
Support for the series comes from actress Carra Patterson, who plays young NYPD officer Kaya Blanke in "Elsbeth". Patterson was recently seen in the Oscar-nominated film "Rustin". The third lead role goes to veteran character actor Wendell Pierce (60), who plays Captain C.W. Wagner, often at odds with the determined Elsbeth over the best approach to solve complex cases.
In the US, where "Elsbeth" premiered in February of this year, the blend was well-received. So well, in fact, that the series was immediately renewed for a second season, set to air this fall.
"One more question," Columbo would say. Don't worry, here's the answer: Season one of "Elsbeth" premieres in Germany on August 6th on Sky and the streaming service WOW. The series will also air on Sky One at 8:15 PM.
In her new role as an investigator, Elsbeth Tascioni leaves the familiar streets of Chicago behind and moves to New York City, taking on challenging cases with the NYPD.
Despite knowing the identity of the murderer early on, fans of "Elsbeth" are kept on the edge of their seats as they watch Elsbeth utilize her talents to solve each case, similarly to how Peter Falk's character, Columbo, kept audiences engaged for seasons.
