Elsbeth fans are in for some fun surprises as Brittany Inge joins the show as Wendell Pierce‘s onscreen daughter.
“I play Julia Payne Wagner and I am related to our beloved Captain Wagner. All I can say is that I’m his relative and I give him a lot of headaches — and a lot of drama,” Inge exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of the Thursday, October 30, episode of the hit CBS series. “I’m just giving him a headache — as if he needs that with how stressful his job already is.”
Stills from upcoming episodes of Elsbeth teased Julia working at the precinct. The new addition also seems to lead to some romance, with Julia appearing quite close to Braeden De La Garza’s character, Detective Rivers.
“Working with Wendell and everyone was literally a dream. Everyone was very kind, warm and welcoming. It was just a joy and a pleasure too,” recalled Inge, who was already a fan of the show. “I was watching it faithfully when I got the audition. I loved The Good Fight, and it’s been a whole journey to get here.”
After originally appearing on The Good Wife and The Good Fight, Carrie Preston was reintroduced as Elsbeth Tascioni, who becomes a de facto detective aiding the NYPD in their investigations. The titular character’s unconventional methods lead her to make unique observations that help solve crimes.
Elsbeth, which premiered in 2024, also stars Pierce and allows for a wide variety of celebrity guest stars, including Jane Krakowski, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Blair Underwood, Keegan-Michael Key, Laura Benanti and Vanessa Williams.
Inge was thrilled at the chance to join the cast — especially opposite Pierce.
“I have followed his career forever. I’m a huge fan, and my first scene was with him,” she noted. “I was a little freaked out, but he’s so welcoming and so grounding. He is such a generous scene partner, and that he helped me remember who I am and settle into the work.”
While Inge couldn’t give away too much, she hinted that Julia will continue to play a role in season 3, adding, “I hope that I’ll get to [help with cases]. There’s so much that I still don’t know. I know what I know but I don’t know a lot. So I hope that that’s the case. She has a very cool job. I think she could be an asset. She could be helpful out in the field.”
Executive producer Jonathan Tolins also spoke with Us about what viewers can expect after Carra Patterson‘s exit from the show as a series regular.
“I wish I could say there was some grand plan, but a lot of it is we have to just see the way the conversation goes in the writers room,” he shared earlier this month. “When there’s a surprise for us, that excites us. We know that’s what we should be pursuing.”
Tolins teased that Captain Wagner’s life will not get more screen time, adding, “We [also] introduce some new characters who test Elsbeth’s feelings about honesty and trust. She is cultivating new friendships because of Kaya’s exit.”
Elsbeth airs on CBS Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.
