The CBS series “Elsbeth” keeps bringing in big names for guest roles, and the latest episode features a familiar face taking on an unusual killer. Steve Buscemi joins the show in Season 3 Episode 13, titled “Murder Six Across,” which aired on March 12, 2026. The episode takes viewers into the competitive world of crossword puzzles, where a championship turns deadly.
The episode follows Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) as she investigates the murder of a crossword editor at the annual National Crossword Tournament. The case forces Elsbeth to return to a hobby she had sworn off—crossword puzzles—because she tends to become completely consumed by them.
Steve Buscemi Plays Simon, a Five-Time Crossword Champion
Buscemi takes on the role of Simon, a five-time crossword champion who is the favorite to win again this year. The character is described as an obsessive perfectionist who gets into a deadly conflict with the puzzle’s longtime editor, Morris Long (Richard Robichaux).
The conflict starts over something many puzzle fans might relate to: changes to the crossword’s style. Simon gets upset when the editor starts adding modern slang and pop culture references to the puzzles, words like “cheugy” (which means outdated or uncool). Things get worse when the editor asks out Elaine (Allison Guinn) , a fellow solver that Simon has feelings for.
Simon confronts Morris in his hotel room about breaking tournament rules by dating a competitor. The argument turns heated, and Simon uses a swag bag from the tournament to suffocate the editor. He then hides the body in a bathtub with ice so he can continue competing, later moving it to a cabin in the woods.
How Buscemi Landed the Role
The actor actually reached out to the show himself because he is a fan of “Elsbeth.” Carrie Preston, who plays the title character, shared that Buscemi contacted the show’s creators through his agent to express interest in appearing. This personal connection to the series makes his guest appearance even more special for viewers who enjoy seeing actors choose roles in shows they genuinely like.
Preston talked about working with Buscemi in interviews before the episode aired, noting that the cast had just wrapped filming his episode and that he brought his signature acting style to the role.
The Rest of the Episode Cast
Alongside Buscemi and Preston, several other actors appear in “Murder Six Across.” The regular cast includes Wendell Pierce as Captain C.W. Wagner, Elsbeth’s boss at the 11th Precinct, and Micaela Diamond as Detective Samantha Edwards, who works with Elsbeth on the case.
Ivan Hernandez plays Alec Bloom, the mayoral candidate who has been dating Elsbeth throughout Season 3. His storyline takes a turn in this episode when Elsbeth starts to question whether he has been truthful with her. Ben Levi Ross appears as Teddy Tascioni, Elsbeth’s journalist son.
Other guest stars in the episode include Allison Guinn as Elaine, the solver caught between Simon and the victim, and Richard Robichaux as Morris Long, the crossword editor who gets killed.
Elsbeth’s Personal Story Takes a Turn
While the crossword case gets solved in this episode, the bigger story involving Alec Bloom moves forward. For several episodes, Elsbeth has been dating Alec, a candidate for mayor who seems too good to be true. In “Murder Six Across,” she finally starts to see through him.
During a dinner at Elsbeth’s apartment with Teddy and Alec, the conversation turns to movies. Alec claims the ending of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” always makes him cry. But earlier in their relationship, he told Elsbeth he had never seen the movie. Teddy later pulls Elsbeth aside, and she tells him, “I think Alec is a liar.”
This moment ends the episode on a cliffhanger, setting up what comes next for Elsbeth as she deals with both her work cases and her personal life.
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Where to Watch the Episode
“Murder Six Across” first aired on CBS on March 12, 2026, at 10/9c. Viewers who missed the live broadcast can watch it on Paramount+, where episodes become available the next day. The show is also available for streaming on Paramount+ for subscribers in the United States. International viewers in countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany can watch on local Paramount+ services or on networks like Sky Witness in the UK.
“Elsbeth” Season 3 continues with new episodes airing Thursdays on CBS. The show was renewed for Season 4 in January 2026, so fans can expect more episodes featuring Elsbeth’s unusual way of solving crimes.
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