A college basketball program is thrown into chaos by a shocking death in the latest episode of Elsbeth. The show’s third season, episode eight, titled “Basket Case,” aired on December 4, 2025. The story takes the beloved attorney Elsbeth Tascioni out of the New York City police precinct and into the intense world of campus athletics. The episode features a mix of the show’s regular stars and special guest actors who bring this murder mystery to life.
The Core Investigative Team
Every episode of Elsbeth relies on the dynamic between the show’s lead character and the NYPD officers she works with. This episode is no different, featuring the team audiences know well.
Carrie Preston returns as the brilliant and quirky Elsbeth Tascioni. An unconventional attorney from Chicago, Elsbeth uses her sharp observation skills to solve crimes with the NYPD. In this episode, she applies her unique perspective to a murder within a powerhouse college basketball program, sorting through clues in locker rooms and navigating campus politics to find the truth.
Working alongside her is Wendell Pierce as Captain C.W. Wagner. As the commanding officer of the precinct, Wagner is a strong, sometimes intimidating figure who has grown to trust and support Elsbeth’s unusual methods. He provides crucial guidance when her investigation hits a roadblock.
The police work is assisted by two recurring officers. Daniel K. Isaac plays Lieutenant Steve Connor, a steady presence within the precinct. Britne Oldford appears as Detective Nina Taylor, who partners with Elsbeth on this case. Detective Taylor initially forms a strong theory about the killer, which challenges Elsbeth to prove her own instincts are correct.
The Guest Stars at the Center of the Case
“Basket Case” introduces several new characters connected to the victim and the world of college sports. The guest cast is led by two actors playing roles central to the mystery.
Lana Condor guest stars as Peyton Ramsey. Peyton is the 22-year-old girlfriend of a high-profile basketball coach. After a very public and heated argument with the athletic director, she becomes the initial prime suspect in his death. Condor is best known for her leading role in the To All the Boys film series.
Sam McMurray plays Coach Willoughby, the basketball coach and Peyton’s partner. He appears to be grieving and supportive, but in the world of Elsbeth, appearances are often deceiving. McMurray’s character finds his world upended by the murder on his campus.
The victim of the crime is Dave Coppins, the athletic director, played by Blake DeLong. His death following the confrontation with Peyton sets the entire investigation in motion.
The Supporting Campus Characters
Filling out the world of the episode are actors playing other faculty, staff, and individuals connected to the basketball program. They add depth to the setting and provide more pieces for Elsbeth to puzzle together.
Tina Benko portrays Ava Mornay, and Anthony De La Torre plays Jason Roberts. Helen Cespedes appears as Gillian Thompson, and Sam Ashby takes the role of Xavier Dunlap. Eric Leviton plays a character named Big Lou.
Additional roles include J.D. Mollison as Cole, Travis Przybylski as Hank, and AJ Dyer as Marcus King. Sharon Hope plays an Older Woman, Todd Cerveris is Steve Trey, and Alexi Ann and Sky Marie play two women named Gina and Lisa.
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Behind the Scenes of the Episode
The creative team behind “Basket Case” includes both series veterans and episodic talent. The episode was directed by Mary Lou Belli. The story was written by Eric Randall, who also serves as a co-executive producer for the series.
The episode’s plot follows Elsbeth‘s signature “howcatchem” format. Rather than a pure mystery where the audience guesses the killer, this style often shows the crime or the culprit early on. The suspense then comes from watching Elsbeth’s process as she pieces together the evidence everyone else has missed.
“Basket Case” continues the show’s tradition of featuring well-known actors in guest roles. Previous seasons have included stars like Stephen Colbert, Nathan Lane, and Laurie Metcalf. This episode adds Lana Condor to that list, bringing a new dynamic to the show’s third season.
The main cast member Carrie Preston is also credited as a producer for the series. Wendell Pierce continues his role as Captain Wagner, a character who has been part of the series since its beginning.
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