Parks and Recreation alum Retta joins the cast of Elsbeth in Episode 4 of CBS' new series.
Elsbeth Episode 4, "Love Knocked Off," highlights a unique case for the titular lawyer as she teams up again with Officer Kaya to investigate an elite matchmaker after she decides to go to extreme lengths to protect the truth about her new husband.
Episode 4 premiered on CBS on April 11. The installment can also be streamed on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Every Main Cast Member of Elsbeth Episode 4
Carrie Preston - Elsbeth Tascioni
Carrie Preston reprises her role as Elsbeth Tascioni to lead the cast of the new CBS series.
Elsbeth is a lawyer who moves from Chicago to New York to shadow unique NYPD investigations and provide notes to crack the case. She is also sent on a secret mission to observe Captain Wagner for potential shady actions.
In Episode 4, Elsbeth investigates a matchmaker who kills her client due to jealousy of being in love with someone else. Luckily, the suspect has no experience covering her tracks, making it easy for Elsbeth to find the truth.
Elsewhere, Elsbeth grows closer to Captain Wagner's wife, Claudia.
Preston is back as the titular character after appearing in The Good Wife and The Good Fight. The actress can also be seen in True Blood and The Holdovers.
- Instagram account: @carriepreston
- Wikipedia: Carrie Preston
- IMDb page: Carrie Preston
Carra Patterson - Kaya Blanke
Carra Patterson's Kaya Blanke is an NYPD officer who joins Elsbeth as her partner during investigations in some of New York's high-profile cases.
Officer Kaya helps Elsbeth unpack the fact that the matchmaker tried to create a new identity for the victim to raise her matchmaking profile. Her ability to uncover the truth within the bigger picture proves useful as the suspect is quickly nabbed.
Patterson's notable credits include The Arrangement, Straight Outta Compton, and Evil.
- Instagram account: @carrapatterson
- IMDb page: Carra Patterson
Wendell Pierce - C. W. Wagner
Wendell Pierce plays NYPD Captain Wagner in Elsbeth Episode 4.
While he was initially annoyed by Elsbeth's arrival in the NYPD, Captain Wagner was impressed by her expertise in her first few weeks at the station.
In Episode 4, though, Wagner denied Elsbeth's request for NYPD divers to help crack the case involving the matchmaker. Despite that, Elsbeth still finds a way to solve the investigation.
The latest installment showed a glimpse of Wagner and his wife's foundation during an eventful gala.
Pierce's most recognizable role is playing Detective William "Bunk" Moreland in The Wire. The actor also appeared in Horrible Bosses, Selma, and The Money Pit.
- Instagram account: @wendellpcg
- Wikipedia: Wendell Pierce
- IMDb page: Wendell Pierce
Retta - Margo Clarke
Retta guest stars as a matchmaker named Margo Clarke in Elsbeth Episode 4.
Margo is a celebrity matchmaker who arranges for her client, Lainey, to fall in love with Gabriel, a conman willing to make the former fall in love with him for money.
However, when fake love turns into something real, Margo becomes distraught, and she ultimately kills Gabriel (what a shocker).
Parks and Recreation fans may recognize Retta for her role as Donna Meagle in the series. The actress has credits in Fracture, To The Bone, and The Morning Show.
- Instagram account: @unforettable
- Wikipedia: Retta
- IMDb page: Retta
Paloma Garcia-Lee - Lainey
Lainey (played by Paloma Garcia-Lee) is Margo's client who is looking for her perfect match. She matched with Gabriel, and they fell in love instantly.
While Lainey is heartbroken that Gabriel is an imposter, Elsbeth and Kaya reassure her that he does genuinely love her.
Garcia-Lee's most recognizable role is playing Adrienne in Fosse/Verdon. The actress has also appeared in The Oscars and West Side Story.
- Instagram account: @palomagarcialee
- IMDb page: Paloma Garcia-Lee
Gloria Reuben - Claudia Payne
Gloria Reuben appears in Elsbeth Episode 4 as Claudia Payne.
Claudia is Captain Wagner's wife known for her charisma and impressive fashion style (no wonder Elsbeth wants to be like her).
Claudia spearheads the Wayne Foundation Gala in the latest installment, and she also wants Elsbeth to be her friend.
Reuben has over 80 credits, including roles in Lincoln, Falling Skies, Mr. Robot, and Admission.
- Instagram account: @gloreuben
- Wikipedia: Gloria Reuben
- IMDb page: Gloria Reuben
Ryan Cooper - Gabriel Erwood
Another guest star in Episode 4 is Ryan Cooper as Gabriel Erwood.
Aside from being a murder victim, Gabriel is not his real name. Instead, his real name is Dennis, and he was an Uber driver who didn't finish college (not the typical rich guy whom Lainey fell in love with).
While he made a deal with Margo to file a divorce against Lainey after a year, Gabriel eventually fell in love with her during their time together, which became the main reason for his demise.
Cooper is known for his roles in And Just Like That, Rough Night, Confess, and Eye Candy.
- Instagram account: @mrryancooper
- IMDb page: Ryan Cooper
Christopher Gurr - Antique Merchant
Christopher Gurr appears in Episode 4 as a chatty antique merchant.
The antique merchant's comment about Margot's replacement was pivotal in helping Elsbeth and Kaya uncover the suspect's sinister scheme regarding Gabriel.
Gurr recently appeared as Marius in A Murder at the End of the World. The actor also starred in The Good Fight and The Gilded Age.
- Instagram account: @christophergurr
- IMDb page: Christopher Gurr
Ruffin Prentiss - Detective Darren Jax
Ruffin Prentiss joins the cast of Elsbeth Episode 4 as Detective Darren Jax.
Detective Darren Jax appears at the NYPD station to inform Elsbeth and Officer Kaya that they should stop their investigation since two fishermen found Gabriel's body by the lake in the Hamptons.
Jax also gives Elsbeth and Kaya information about the nature of his death.
SEAL Team fans may recognize Prentiss for his role as Summer Kairos in the series. The actor was also featured in Insecure and The Arrangement.
- Instagram account: @rprentissiiii
- IMDb page: Ruffin Prentiss
Maria Jung - Tina Moore
Maria Jung's Tina Moore was Gabriel's (Dennis) previous girlfriend for 14 years and was saddened by the fact that he was murdered.
Tina revealed that Dennis dumped her, and she is still bitter about it.
Jung previously appeared in The Magic Bomb, The Karma Club, and Paterno.
- IMDb page: Maria Jung
Danny McCarthy - Agent Celentano
Danny McCarthy reprises his role as Agent Celentano, who assigned Elsbeth to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
At the end of Episode 4, Celentano checks up on Elsbeth about the status of her investigation regarding Captain Wagner. He asks her if anything is suspicious during the Payne Wagner Foundation Gala.
McCarthy has credits in Somebody Somewhere, Good One, and Stronger.
- Wikipedia: Danny McCarthy
- IMDb page: Danny McCarthy
Christopher Michael McFarland - Bus Driver
Christopher Michael McFarland briefly appears as a bus driver who gets interrogated by Elsbeth about whether he saw Gabriel ride the bus during the night of his disappearance.
McFarland's notable credits include The Plot Against America and Sneaky Pete.
- IMDb page: Christopher Michael McFarland
New episodes of Elsbeth premiere every Thursday on CBS at 9 p.m. ET.
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