Stephen Colbert Praised as ‘Great Actor’ Ahead of ‘Elsbeth’ Debut Amid ‘Late Show’ Cancellation

Despite the recent announcement that his long-running program, The Late Show, will conclude in May, Stephen Colbert is receiving accolades for his acting performance in the upcoming season premiere of CBS’s Elsbeth.

Emmy-winning actress Carrie Preston, who stars as Elsbeth, described Colbert as “such a great actor” after working with him on the episode ‘Yes, And…’, airing Sunday at 9/8c. The episode features Colbert as Scotty Bristol, a fictional late-night talk show host. Preston revealed the team was initially concerned about Colbert’s availability given the news surrounding The Late Show, but he arrived “fully prepared” and “fully game.”

“It was really serendipitous because for months and months we had been working to get these actors on the show,” Preston told sources yesterday. “Then the week before we were about to start filming, it was announced that his show was done.” The episode’s plot revolves around backstage tensions at a late-night comedy show, also starring Amy Sedaris and Andy Richter, a veteran of several late-night programs. Richter is well known for his decades-long career as a sidekick on shows like Late Night and The Tonight Show. This casting is particularly noteworthy as Colbert transitions to new projects, including a voice role in the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series on Paramount+.

Preston also expressed her admiration for Sedaris and Richter, noting their comedic timing and the positive energy they brought to the set. The cancellation of The Late Show marks the end of an era in late-night television, but Colbert’s continued work demonstrates his versatility as a performer.

CBS officials have stated that further details regarding Colbert’s future projects will be announced in the coming weeks.