J. Smith-Cameron Drew Inspiration from Anna Wintour for Elsbeth Character
J. Smith-Cameron’s intriguing role in Elsbeth may seem somewhat reminiscent of Anna Wintour, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue, especially for dedicated fans of the fashion icon.
“The concept was mine,” Smith-Cameron told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview. “I thought, ‘What if I’m not trying to be Anna Wintour but rather portraying a character who’s aiming to emulate her?’ That’s her idol, and she aspires to imitate her.”
Expounding on her character’s vision, Smith-Cameron mentioned, “She conceals herself behind a facade. I thought that idea could be quite enjoyable. I ordered a budget-friendly pageboy bob wig online, and it seemed fine in my mind. So I used it. I didn’t aim for a perfect English accent; I wanted her to come off as someone trying to sound a bit English.”
Prior to channeling Wintour, Smith-Cameron had a memorable encounter with the fashion luminary.
“I encountered Anna Wintour once at a fashion show, and she happened to sit right next to me. She wore her trademark sunglasses, and her reputation certainly precedes her,” she reflected. “However, she was surprisingly approachable and delightful. This isn’t my interpretation of her; it’s the perspective of someone who idolizes her. I can relate, as everyone I know finds Anna Wintour absolutely fascinating.”
Elsbeth, which premiered in 2024, follows Carrie Preston’s character, Elsbeth Tascioni, who acts as an unofficial detective assisting the NYPD with their cases. Her unconventional approaches lead to unique insights that aid in solving crimes.
Aside from Preston, the series includes appearances by Wendell Pierce and features cameos from notable names like Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Pamela Adlon, Vanessa Williams, Matthew Broderick, Michael Emerson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Retta, Blair Underwood, Linda Lavin, and many others.
In the episode airing on Thursday, April 3, of the popular CBS series, Smith-Cameron portrays a character involved in a case where a powerful patriarch “is stabbed with a sword at New York’s most elite debutante ball,” as per the synopsis. This description hints at how Elsbeth “must engage in an intense showdown with the domineering ball director (Smith-Cameron).”
“This show offers some backstory. It’s a humorous take on a murder mystery. I enjoyed it. The characters on Elsbeth experience extreme circumstances. Their struggles are relatable, alongside the clever writing and execution,” she added.
Elsbeth airs on CBS Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.
