Elsbeth is the latest show to lose a main cast member in a shocking shakeup ahead of the season 2 finale.
After the penultimate episode aired on Thursday, May 1, Carra Patterson confirmed she would be stepping down as a series regular. She is expected to return in a guest star capacity after playing fan-favorite character Kaya since the show premiered.
“My character, Kaya Blanke, is embarking on a new adventure as the story continues to unfold, and I am excited to do the same,” Patterson, 41, said in a statement to Deadline. “But we will see Kaya again — fans will find out what she’s been up to in her new role as Detective next season when I come back to guest star and play with Carrie and Wendell.”
She continued: “I am beyond grateful to the cast, crew, and producers, and of course, the fans, for all the love and support.”
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During Thursday’s episode, Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) told Carra she was being offered a job outside of the NYPD. “You are joining a special task force in D.C,” he revealed. “A spot just opened up. Training starts right away. It will require extensive training in D.C. and undercover assignments.”
According to Deadline, Kaya will make an appearance in the season 2 finale, where fans will see the conclusion of her work as an officer at the NYPD. It is unclear what season 3 will look like without Carrie Preston‘s character, Elsbeth, working on cases with Kaya by her side.
Executive producer Jonathan Tolins addressed the surprising news as well, saying, “Kaya just turned out to be this wonderful partner for Elsbeth, and that relationship was one that we all love so much, and we love Carra. We’re excited that the character got her promotion and achieved that dream.”
Tolins didn’t rule out Kaya’s onscreen return — in a more limited capacity.
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“She’s not leaving the world of the show,” he added. “She’s just not going to be with us every day. I don’t want to make too much of the change.”
Elsbeth is the most recent show to shock fans with an unexpected cast exit. Fire Country, which is also on CBS, concluded its third season on Friday, April 25, before news broke that Stephanie Arcila and Billy Burke wouldn’t be returning in season 4.
Then there is ABC’s 9-1-1 where Peter Krause’s character, Bobby, was killed after eight seasons. NBC has went through the same predicament with Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett reportedly leaving Chicago Fire after season 13.
Elsbeth airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.
