Elsbeth Tascioni has tackled New York's elite, survived a hostage crisis at a legendary toy store, and even brushed shoulders with a Knicks star. But in the upcoming fifth episode of Season 4, the ever-optimistic detective is heading to a place she's never been: Coney Island. And she's bringing a Ted Lasso favorite along for the ride.
Sam Richardson, known for his roles in Ted Lasso and Detroiters, is set to guest star in the episode titled "All About Eats." The title hints at the episode's focus: competitive eating. A champion at a Coney Island donut-eating contest turns up dead right after the event, and Elsbeth and her team are called in to investigate. Richardson plays Cody Baxter, an up-and-coming competitive eater and superfan who seems friendly and enthusiastic about the sport—but could his hunger for victory have gone too far?
Collider has exclusively obtained first-look images from the episode, which you can check out in the gallery above. The photos show Cody working at a Coney Island game booth, where Elsbeth finds him upon her arrival. She's clearly charmed by the prizes and the cheerful atmosphere, and Cody's warm smile makes him an unlikely suspect. Also present is Detective Buzz Fleming (Daniel Oreskes), who's holding what looks like the trophy meant for the hot dog eating champion. Even he can't help but smile in such a lively setting, though he's no match for Elsbeth's boundless energy.
In another shot, Elsbeth is seen wearing a pink fielder's glove, wrapping an arm around Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) at the park. It looks like she's ready to play ball—or at least solve a murder with her signature style.
Richardson is just the latest in a string of high-profile guest stars this season. The show has already welcomed Stephen Colbert, Patti LuPone, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicholas Braun, Lea Michele, Jemima Kirke, and Nat Faxon, among others. The series continues to thrive under creators Robert and Michelle King, with the Season 4 premiere drawing 3.75 million viewers—a 10% boost from last year's premiere.
For fans of Ted Lasso, seeing Richardson in a new role is a treat. And if you're in the mood for more mystery, you might want to check out other quirky whodunits while you wait.
Elsbeth Season 4 Episode 5 premieres on CBS on Thursday, November 12. Don't miss the exclusive images above for a sneak peek at the fun.
