"Elsbeth" Taps Michael Emerson for Recurring Role Opposite Wife Carrie Preston
by Claire Franken
October 20, 2024


"Elsbeth" has retained Michael Emerson to square off against the series’ titular lawyer — who, coincidentally, just happens to be his wife!

Emerson will play Judge Milton Crawford, “a haughty, soft-spoken and bespectacled man from an old New England family of public servants who sees his place in the nation’s elite as a birthright,” according to his official character description.

Described as “a foil” to Elsbeth, he will make his debut on Thursday, Dec. 12.

https://tvline.com/casting-news/elsbeth-cast-michael-emerson-judge-milton-crawford-1235352150/

Michael Emerson on playing his wife Carrie Preston's adversary on Elsbeth: "It's interesting, weird and complicated" (https://people.com/michael-emerson-says-it-was-weird-being-carrie-preston-adversary-on-elsbeth-exclusive-8759096)

"It's like a two-layered acting day," says Emerson, who makes his debut on his wife's CBS drama tonight as Judge Milton Crawford. "You have to act like you don't know this person that you woke up with in the morning and treat them as if they are a fictional character, and as your adversary, not your spouse. So it's a lot going on. A lot is being tuned out while a lot is being opened up." ALSO: Carrie Preston on working with her husband: "I just loved the idea of sort of inviting him into this universe..." (https://tvline.com/interviews/elsbeth-season-2-michael-emerson-carrie-preston-video-preview-1235385431/)