Carra Patterson is leaving the CBS series "Elsbeth" as a series regular because her character, Kaya Blanke, has been promoted to an undercover detective role with a special task force in Washington, D.C. This career advancement in the storyline explains why Kaya will not appear as frequently in season 3. However, Patterson is not leaving the show entirely; she will return as a guest star in the upcoming season. Both Patterson and the show's creators have emphasized that this development was planned and that Kaya's departure for a more significant role reflects her character achieving a major dream. The series will also explore Elsbeth's life and cases without Kaya as a regular partner, with the strong friendship between the characters remaining a key element. Patterson expressed excitement for this new direction and gratitude toward the cast, crew, and fans. Showrunner Jonathan Tolins and co- star Carrie Preston have highlighted that they will welcome Patterson back whenever possible and that the character's journey continues offscreen in this new capacity.