Carra Patterson’s noticeable absence in Elsbeth Season 3 has caught the attention of viewers. With the premiere of Season 3 introducing various dynamic shifts and storylines, fans have been speculating about Patterson’s potential exit from the comedy series. However, the episode “Yes, And…” unveiled a new storyline in Officer Kaya Blanke’s (Carra Patterson) life.

Is Carra Patterson exiting Elsbeth for good?

The Season 3 premiere of Elsbeth, titled “Yes, And…,” introduced a fresh storyline. The latest adjustments to the plot lead to the promotion of Patterson’s character, Officer Kaya Blanke, from an NYPD officer to an undercover agent in a special D.C. task force. The premiere further indicated that Officer Blanke’s training begins immediately, clarifying Patterson’s absence from the show as a regular cast member.

According to Deadline, Patterson stepped down from her regular role in May 2025. The actress will return in Season 3 as a guest star. A scene between Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) and Cameron Clayden (Sullivan Jones) hinted at Patterson’s guest appearance in Elsbeth Season 3. The scene begins with Elsbeth inquiring about her friend’s whereabouts. Cameron initially responds by saying she cannot disclose anything but later mentions that her friend has completed her training and started her first undercover assignment.

Officer Kaya is set to make a guest appearance in Episode 3 of Elsbeth, titled “Good Grief,” where her undercover assignment connects to one of Elsbeth’s cases. Confirming her return, CBS has released a still image showing Elsbeth and Kaya together in their undercover outfits. The events of the finale will determine what lies ahead for Patterson’s character for the remainder of the season.

Reassuring the audience about Patterson’s future appearances in the series, showrunner Jonathan Tolins stated, “All I can say is, we love the relationship between Elsbeth and Kaya, and we love Carra Patterson. We hope to see Kaya on the show as much as we can” (per Deadline).