The holiday-themed tenth episode of Elsbeth‘s third season brings a murder mystery to a New York ballet stage. The episode, titled “A Hard Nut to Crack,” marks the show’s final broadcast of 2025 before it goes on a midseason break. Fans will see the quirky attorney trade the gritty police precinct for the cutthroat world of professional dance.
As usual, viewers can expect the show’s signature “howcatchem” style, where the crime and perpetrator are shown first, and the suspense lies in watching Elsbeth piece together the clues. This time, the setting is the rehearsal for a production of “The Nutcracker”.
Episode 10 Release Date and Air Time
Elsbeth Season 3, Episode 10 will air on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
The episode will be broadcast on CBS at 10:00 PM Eastern Time / 9:00 PM Central Time. This is the show’s regular prime-time slot. For international viewers, this air time translates to:
- Friday, December 19 at 3:00 AM in the United Kingdom (GMT)
- Friday, December 19 at 8:30 AM in India (IST)
The episode is the last one scheduled for 2025. The series will take a hiatus after this broadcast, with new episodes expected to return in 2026.
Streaming Details for “A Hard Nut to Crack”
For those who prefer streaming, Paramount+ is the official home for new episodes of Elsbeth.
- Paramount+ Premium Subscribers: The episode will be available to stream live as it airs on CBS and will be on-demand immediately after the broadcast ends.
- Paramount+ Essential Subscribers: The episode will be available for on-demand streaming the day after it premieres on CBS, starting Friday, December 19.
Viewers without a cable subscription can also watch the episode live through live TV streaming services that carry CBS, such as DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.
What to Expect in the Ballet Murder Case
The official synopsis for Episode 10 sets the stage for a stylish and dramatic case: “When an avant-garde choreographer’s ‘Nutcracker’ rehearsal turns deadly, Elsbeth leaps into the cutthroat world of New York ballet”.
This promises a distinct change of scenery from the police station. The episode is described as being more stylized, taking full advantage of its theatrical setting. While the show typically features standalone cases, this midseason finale might also touch on Elsbeth’s ongoing professional and personal dynamics with the NYPD. Previous episodes have shown her building stronger bonds with the officers, which sometimes challenges her role as an objective observer.
The episode continues the show’s tradition of featuring notable guest stars. While the specific actors for the ballet world characters are not detailed in the available information, Season 3 has already featured stars like Stephen Colbert, Lana Condor, and Dianne Wiest. The guest cast for this episode is expected to be announced closer to the airdate.
A Look Back at Season 3 So Far
Season 3 of Elsbeth premiered with a special episode on Sunday, October 12, 2025, before moving to its regular Thursday night slot. The season has maintained the format that fans enjoy: each week, Elsbeth and Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce) tackle a new high-profile murder in a unique New York City subculture.
The season started with a case in the world of late-night television, featuring a special appearance by Stephen Colbert as a fictional talk show host. Subsequent episodes have explored crimes in settings as varied as a famous toy store, a convent, and the world of college basketball.
The show’s third season was confirmed in February 2025, and it is planned to consist of 20 episodes. This means Episode 10 is the exact midpoint of the season.
“This is something Iโve wanted and hoped to get, but never really dreamed that I would at this stage in my life,” Carrie Preston said about leading the Elsbeth series. “So the fact that itโs happening now makes me appreciate it maybe more than had it happened in my 20s”.
How to Catch Up on Previous Episodes
New viewers or fans wanting a refresher before the midseason finale have several options. All past episodes of Elsbeth, from Seasons 1 through 3, are available for streaming on Paramount+.
CBS also often airs reruns of recent episodes. During the Thanksgiving holiday, for example, the network re-aired the Season 3 premiere and second episode. Checking local CBS listings is the best way to find any scheduled reruns before the new episode airs.
