As the curtain prepares to fall on Elsbeth Season 3, the show is going out with a show-stopping bang. Carrie Preston's beloved sleuth is trading her usual crime scenes for the glittering world of cabaret, investigating the death of a minor royal inside one of New York's most prestigious hotels. And waiting for her there is a legendary performer who could charm—or chill—any audience.
Collider has an exclusive first look at the finale, and it's a musical moment that will leave you breathless. Broadway icon Patti LuPone, fresh off her scene-stealing turn as Lilia Calderu in Agatha All Along, steps into the role of Ruby Lane, a cabaret diva who calls the hotel home. In the clip, LuPone delivers a haunting rendition of Irving Berlin's classic "What'll I Do," a song that has been covered by everyone from Nat King Cole to Bob Dylan. As she plays piano and sings, Elsbeth is utterly captivated, beaming with joy.
But the magic doesn't last. When Elsbeth gushes that it's her favorite Berlin tune, Ruby is suspicious—after all, Elsbeth earlier claimed to know nothing about cabaret. The sleuth tries to cover by praising the "great American songbook," but Ruby isn't buying it. She calls Elsbeth out as a phony and dismisses her, proving that this diva can be as cutting as she is talented.
LuPone is the perfect choice to play such a towering, eccentric force. With three Tony Awards and a legendary career on Broadway, she brings an undeniable gravitas to the role. But she's also proven her mettle on screen, most recently as the fan-favorite witch in the MCU series Agatha All Along. The Elsbeth finale also features Shrinking Emmy nominee Michael Urie as Monty Blakemont III, an enthusiastic philanthropist with some questionable finances.
This season has been a wild ride, with episodes featuring tyrannical talk show hosts, killer cruciverbalists, and murderous former models. The finale promises to be just as twisty, as Elsbeth navigates a world of faded elegance and old-money secrets. The show has already been renewed for Season 4, so this isn't goodbye for Preston's character—just a dramatic pause before more mysteries unfold this fall.
For fans who love a satisfying finale, Elsbeth is in good company. The series has consistently delivered clever writing and standout guest stars, from Stephen Colbert to Amy Sedaris, David Cross, Julia Fox, Steve Buscemi, Dianne Wiest, William Jackson Harper, Tracey Ullman, and Andrew Rannells. This season finale adds LuPone and Urie to that impressive roster.
Don't miss the Elsbeth Season 3 finale airing May 21 on CBS. And if you're looking for more great TV, check out our list of the most satisfying fantasy show finales ever.
