Stephen Colbert will guest star as a fictional late-night talk show host in the Season 3 premiere of CBS’ “Elsbeth,” marking a rare acting role amid the upcoming end of his own “Late Show” in May 2026.

Stephen Colbert is no stranger to the world of late-night television, but this time, he’s taking on the role from a different perspective — as an actor.

The comedian, who has helmed “The Late Show” on CBS since 2015, is stepping into a fictionalized version of the job for the Season 3 premiere of the CBS crime dramedy “Elsbeth.”

The episode, titled “Yes, And…,” will debut this fall and already has fans buzzing thanks to newly released first-look photos that show Colbert behind a talk show desk once again, though this time under the name “Scotty Bristol.”

The episode dives into the high-pressure world of late-night comedy, exploring the tensions that simmer backstage between Bristol, his head writer Laurel Hammond-Muntz (played by Amy Sedaris), and Laurel’s husband and on-air sidekick Mickey (Andy Richter).

In addition, Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), the eccentric lawyer-detective at the heart of the series, encounters a new police officer (Lindsay Mendez) who moonlights as an aspiring stand-up comedian, adding another layer of showbiz flavor to the case.

The premise is a clever meta nod to Colbert’s own career, blurring the line between reality and fiction in a way that only adds to the intrigue.

For Colbert, the episode is also a reunion with Sedaris, a longtime collaborator and close friend. The two go back to the 1980s, when they first performed together at Chicago’s Second City theater.

They later co-starred in the cult Comedy Central series “Strangers with Candy” and its 2006 film adaptation, where Sedaris played Jerri Blank and Colbert played Chuck Noblet.

“Amy is one of my favorite people to perform with,” Colbert once said, recalling their years of improvisation and offbeat comedy.

“She always surprises me, and I think that’s what makes our chemistry work.” Their reunion on “Elsbeth” is likely to be a highlight for fans of their earlier collaborations.

The timing of Colbert’s guest role could not be more striking. Just months earlier, CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would be coming to an end in May 2026, a decision that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

The announcement fueled speculation and controversy, with critics suggesting that CBS had caved to political pressure because of Colbert’s outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump.

The host has long been one of the most vocal critics of Trump on late-night television, earning both devoted fans and fierce detractors.

However, CBS maintained that the cancellation was a business decision, citing declining ratings across the late-night landscape and the financial challenges of producing a nightly talk show in an era when audiences increasingly turn to streaming and social media for comedy and commentary.

For Colbert, the irony of appearing on “Elsbeth” so soon after the cancellation announcement is not lost. Earlier this year, during an episode of “The Late Show” featuring actor Wendell Pierce, Colbert joked about wanting a role on the spinoff.

“I want to be the body that’s found behind the pile of lettuce boxes,” he said with a laugh, referring to the quirky murder-mystery structure of the show. Pierce responded warmly, telling him he could “make that happen.”

Few could have predicted at the time that Colbert would indeed pop up in the third season, though not as a corpse but as a version of himself in an alternate late-night universe.

“Elsbeth,” a spinoff of “The Good Wife,” debuted in 2024 and quickly gained a following thanks to Carrie Preston’s sharp, eccentric performance as Elsbeth Tascioni.

The series has become known for its rotating roster of high-profile guest stars, which has included stage and screen veterans like Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

Bringing in Colbert for the Season 3 premiere is another example of how the show blends crime-solving with quirky, unexpected appearances from big-name personalities.

Off-screen, Colbert’s career has been marked by reinvention and resilience.

After rising to prominence as a correspondent on “The Daily Show” in the early 2000s, he became a household name with “The Colbert Report,” where he perfected his satirical right-wing pundit persona.

Transitioning to “The Late Show” in 2015 following David Letterman’s retirement, Colbert initially struggled in ratings before finding his footing by leaning into political commentary during the Trump years.

His mix of sharp monologues, in-depth interviews, and genuine warmth helped him dominate the late-night landscape for several years.

Yet the format itself has faced challenges, with audiences fragmenting and younger viewers increasingly skipping traditional broadcasts altogether.

His guest spot on “Elsbeth” is not only a chance for Colbert to poke fun at his own profession but also a reminder of his versatility as a performer.

In interviews, he has often spoken about his love of acting and improvisation, passions that predate his career as a late-night host. “I’ve always thought of myself as a performer first,” he once noted. “Hosting is just one form of that.”

The episode is also a testament to Colbert’s enduring ties to CBS, despite the looming end of “The Late Show.” By placing him in a fictionalized version of his own job, the network seems to be winking at both the absurdity and poignancy of the moment.

For viewers, the episode will offer not only a fresh storyline in “Elsbeth” but also a rare chance to see Colbert step outside his usual late-night role and play with the idea of what it means to be a talk show host — on television, and in the culture at large.

As CBS prepares to sunset one of its most iconic late-night programs, Colbert’s turn on “Elsbeth” could be seen as both a farewell and a reminder of his comedic range.

Fans who tune in will not only be watching an episode of a hit drama but also witnessing a moment that captures the strange, shifting state of late-night television in America.

Whether viewers see it as a playful cameo or a symbolic epilogue, Colbert’s latest role adds yet another layer to a career defined by satire, reinvention, and a deep connection with his audience.

With his trademark wit and a longtime collaborator by his side, Stephen Colbert is once again stepping onto a stage — even if this time, the spotlight is fictional.

For fans of late-night comedy and character-driven television alike, his guest appearance on “Elsbeth” promises to be one of the most talked-about episodes of the season.