Its something that we dont really see that much in characters.
And figuring out the quick changes that her brain makes.
Its definitely inspiring to play her.
Carrie Preston in ‘Elsbeth.‘Michael Parmelee/CBS
DEADLINE:What is the balance there for you?
PRESTON: I believe that one leads to other.
But I dont think its in any way manipulative, Machiavellian or anything like that.
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni.“Michael Parmalee/CBS
I think she truly is that way.
DEADLINE:When did you start talking about doing this full-time, breaking her out into her own show?
Were you fully on board with doing that?
PRESTON: Oh yes.
And I would say, Great, great, and then the stars just wouldnt quite align.
Robert and Michelle had been rewatching episodes ofColumboand they thought, Oh OK.
But I trust Robert and Michelle King so completely theyre geniuses.
So it was never something that I felt like I was doing on my own.
It takes almost 300 people to create this show.
Even though its calledElsbeth, its way more people that are behind her than you would think.
DEADLINE:What has been her evolution, since 2010, as a character?
So, I was limited in my parameters.
Im setting the tone for the show.
Thats whats really fun about it, that theres this contrasting thing going on.
DEADLINE:In procedurals, character information is dropped very gradually into the story.
PRESTON: Yes, I learn as I go along.
We didnt even mention Teddy, beyond the very first time I ever appeared onThe Good Wife.
So thats been fun to flesh him out and to put myself in the hands of the writers.
Theyve brought me all kinds of fun and interesting things.
PRESTON: I always feel like I understand the essence of the character.
And she loves her work.
We saw that in theGoodUniverse, and were really seeing that here.
DEADLINE:And then you have all these amazing day players and guest stars come in.
How is that, having new people come in, to spar with you, every day?
Finley Davidson, our casting director, is doing an extraordinary job.
Thats not something that everyone is able to do.
And it really does help, because we dont have much time to do all this stuff.
And our guest stars are, as youve seen, really extraordinary for a police procedural.
DEADLINE:How has this made you stretch professionally?
PRESTON: Ive never had this much responsibility on a day-to-day basis.
So, its been really challenging, but I love a challenge.
I love to work.
Im the same way as Elsbeth.
Thats been a thrill.
It feels like that perception is really changing or maybe the challenges were always underestimated?
PRESTON: I think that might not be the case if you are somebody whos acted in one.
Ive never appreciated Mariska Hargitay more than I do right now.
The fact that shes been doing that for so, so long and so, so well is extraordinary.
Now, I really get how difficult that is, and I appreciate it.
For me, thats fun.
I like the challenge of saying, Oh gosh, I have seven pages of a monologue.
So, I have a great appreciation for actors who can do that.
And I think with our show, it is very aware of itself.
In other words, it knows its in an old structure that its making fresh.
And I think theres a bit of a wink with what were doing.
They know that we are not trying to be aLaw & Order.
We have a great respect for that, but were almost honoring it and elevating that genre.
