Gentle spoilers for Elsbeth Season 2, Episode 9 are forward! If you’re seeking to see the episode and the joke in query for your self, you possibly can stream it with a Paramount+ subscription.
After I tuned into Elsbeth’s first episode on the 2025 TV schedule, I used to be able to see Eric McCormack as a bag man, I used to be not anticipating a Meghan Markle joke. Nonetheless, it was truly an ideal little quip from Wendell Pierce’s Captain Wagner, and there’s a complete historical past involving him and the Duchess of Sussex that makes all this make good sense.
The Joke Elsbeth Made That Concerned Meghan Markle
OK, here is what was occurring when this Royal Household joke was made. As we have been studying extra concerning the darker facet of Elsbeth’s previous throughout a tense dialog between her and Kaya, Wagner walked in with a brand new case. He defined {that a} man had died after being seen at a really fancy spa, and he wanted the lawyer-turned-crime solver to look into it. Right here’s how that forwards and backwards went:
Wagner: Within the meantime, I would like you on a case. A younger man, Cole Campbell, was discovered deceased on the freeway. His automobile ran off the highway.
Elsbeth: OK, why me?
In response to that query, Wagner talked up how fancy this spa was, noting that celebrities and royals journey to it. He additionally quipped about Meghan Markle and rumors that she was there too, saying:
The final place he was seen was some fancy spa the place celebrities and the royals go to. The worldwide press was already attempting to border Meghan Markle, and he or she wasn’t even there!
It’s all the time a bit jarring when one of many Royals is name-dropped in a fictional TV present. They’re a scorching subject of dialog, and jokes about them may be taken in all types of how. Nonetheless, this joke was completely innocent and in protection of the Duchess of Sussex. It additionally made plenty of sense contemplating Wendell Pierce’s relationship along with her in actual life.
This Joke Makes Sense As a result of Of Wendell Pierce And Meghan Markle’s Relationship
For many who won’t know, Meghan Markle and Wendell Pierce go approach again. Between 2013 and 2019, the Elsbeth actor starred alongside the royal in Fits. He truly performed Robert Zane, the daddy of Markle’s Rachel Zane, in 36 episodes of the beloved lawyer drama.
How To Watch Elsbeth
You’ll be able to watch Elsbeth on CBS each Thursday at 10 p.m. ET and stream new episodes the day after they air on Paramount+.
Since being a part of the Fits solid, Pierce has additionally supported his on-screen daughter constantly. Again in 2018, the Wagner actor gave Markle’s actual father recommendation after Thomas Markle publicly defined that he was upset about his daughter’s marriage ceremony. The performer stated, “If you happen to love your daughter, simply love your daughter.”
Together with that, in 2021, Markle’s Fits dad shared his emotions about her Oprah interview and a viral interview he did, clarifying that he’s “supported Meghan within the press” for a very long time.
Even over the past yr, The Wire star has opened up about being requested concerning the Duchess usually, making it clear as day that he thinks Markle is “fantastic” and “the nicest particular person ever.” He additionally famous that he’d like to see her performing once more.
I might too, particularly if it was through Elsbeth, and we may see the actors collectively on display once more.
Total, understanding Pierce’s constant assist of Markle and his skilled previous along with her makes this seemingly shocking Elsbeth joke make sense. Not solely was it a humorous quip, however it additionally carries a deeper that means that leans into the actor’s love for his on-screen daughter.