The third season of ''
Psych
''Psych'' is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks for USA Network. The series stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened o ...
'' originally aired in the United States on
USA Network
USA Network (or simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was launched in 1977 as Madison Square Garden Sports Network, one of the first national sports ...
from July 18, 2008 to February 20, 2009. It consisted of 16 episodes.
James Roday
James Roday Rodriguez (born James David Rodriguez; April 4, 1976) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Shawn Spencer, a hyper-observant consultant detective and fake psychic, in USA Network series '' ...
,
Dulé Hill
Karim Dulé Hill (; born May 3, 1975) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as personal presidential aide and Deputy Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series ''The West Wing'', for wh ...
,
Timothy Omundson
Timothy Michael Omundson (born July 29, 1969) is an American actor. He is notable for his supporting roles as Sean Potter on the CBS television series ''Judging Amy'', Eli on the syndicated series '' Xena: Warrior Princess'', Carlton Lassite ...
,
Maggie Lawson
Maggie Lawson (born August 12, 1980) is an American actress who is best known for her role as Detective Juliet "Jules" O'Hara in the television series ''Psych'', and its subsequent film series. From 2018 to 2019, she held the recurring role of ...
,
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor and film director. He appeared as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series ''L.A. Law'', , and
Kirsten Nelson
Kirsten Nelson (born October 3, 1970) is an American actress and director best known for her role as police chief Karen Vick on the TV series ''Psych''.
Early life and education
Kirsten Nelson was born in Enid, Oklahoma and raised in Chicag ...
reprised their roles as the main characters. James Roday portrayed
Shawn Spencer
Shawn Spencer is a fictional character and main protagonist on the American television comedy-drama ''Psych'' and the sequel film series of the same name played by American actor James Roday Rodriguez. Taking advantage of his eidetic memory a ...
, a fake
psychic
A psychic is a person who claims to use powers rooted in parapsychology, such as extrasensory perception (ESP), to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance; or who performs acts that a ...
detective who periodically consults for the
Santa Barbara police department. A DVD of the season was released on July 21, 2009.
Production
Steve Franks
Steve Franks is an American screenwriter, director and musician based in Orange County, California. He is best known as the creator of the USA Network original series ''Psych''.
Education
Franks graduated from the University of California, Irv ...
continued to serve as
showrunner
A showrunner is the top-level executive producer of a television series. The position outranks other creative and management personnel, including episode directors, in contrast to feature films, in which the director has creative control over th ...
for the third season. "I Know, You Know," performed by The Friendly Indians, continued to serve as the theme song for the series, though the Christmas-themed version used for the previous season's "
Gus's Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" was used again for "
Christmas Joy."
Mel Damski
Melvin Damski (born July 21, 1946 in New York, New York) is an American director and producer of film and television.
Life and career
Mel Damski (born in New York, New York) is an American film director and film producer. Damski has Northern Euro ...
returned to the series to direct three episodes, while
John Badham
John MacDonald Badham (born August 25, 1939) is an American film and television director, best known for directing the films ''Saturday Night Fever'' (1977), ''Dracula (1979 film), Dracula'' (1979), ''Blue Thunder'' (1983), ''WarGames'' (1983), ...
and
Stephen Surjik
Stephen Surjik (born 1960) is a film and television director, and producer.
He is known for his work on the film ''Wayne's World 2'', the Marvel Television series '' Daredevil'' and ''The Punisher'', the Netflix series ''The Umbrella Academy'' ...
returned to direct two each. Returning to direct one episode each were Steve Franks,
John Landis
John David Landis (born August 3, 1950) is an American filmmaker and actor. He is best known for directing comedy films such as ''The Kentucky Fried Movie'' (1977), ''Animal House, National Lampoon's Animal House'' (1978), The Blues Brothers (f ...
,
Eric Laneuville
Eric Gerard Laneuville (born July 14, 1952) is an American television director, producer and actor. His first acting roles were in the science-fiction film ''The Omega Man'' (1971) with Charlton Heston, and the ABC television series ''Room 222' ...
, and
Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson (born Timothy Lewis Matthieson; December 31, 1947) is an American actor and director. Some of his best-known acting roles include the title character of the 1960s animated ''Jonny Quest (TV series), Jonny Quest'' TV series, Eric "O ...
. New directors for the season, directing one episode each, were
Jay Chandrasekhar
Jayanth Jambulingam Chandrasekhar (born April 9, 1968) is an American comedian, film director, screenwriter, actor and editor. He is best known for his work with the sketch comedy group Broken Lizard and for directing and starring in the Broken ...
,
Martha Coolidge
Martha Coolidge (born August 17, 1946) is an American film director and former President of the Directors Guild of America. She has directed such films as '' Valley Girl,'' '' Real Genius'' and '' Rambling Rose.''
Early life
Coolidge was born in ...
, Michael McMurray,
Steve Miner
Stephen C. Miner (born June 18, 1951) is an American director of film and Television program, television, film producer, and a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is notable for his work in the horror genre, including '' ...
, and series star
James Roday
James Roday Rodriguez (born James David Rodriguez; April 4, 1976) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Shawn Spencer, a hyper-observant consultant detective and fake psychic, in USA Network series '' ...
.
Andy Berman
Andrew Mark Berman (born February 24, 1968) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, and comedian. He is best known for his role as Dib Membrane in ''Invader Zim'', Dennis in '' The Jamie Foxx Show'' (1996-1997), Chuck in '' The Wonder ...
and Steve Franks returned to write three episodes each, while
Josh Bycel
Josh Bycel is a television writer/producer. He has worked on such shows as ''Veronica's Closet'', '' It's All Relative,'' '' Andy Barker P.I.,'' and ''American Dad!.'' He was hired as the executive producer and co-showrunner (along with Bill Lawr ...
, Anupam Nigam, Saladin K. Patterson, and James Roday wrote two. Tim Meltreger returned to pen one episode. New writers for the season included Kell Cahoon, who wrote two episodes, and Victoria Walker, who wrote one.
Cast
James Roday
James Roday Rodriguez (born James David Rodriguez; April 4, 1976) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Shawn Spencer, a hyper-observant consultant detective and fake psychic, in USA Network series '' ...
continued to play fake psychic detective
Shawn Spencer
Shawn Spencer is a fictional character and main protagonist on the American television comedy-drama ''Psych'' and the sequel film series of the same name played by American actor James Roday Rodriguez. Taking advantage of his eidetic memory a ...
.
Burton "Gus" Guster returned, portrayed by
Dulé Hill
Karim Dulé Hill (; born May 3, 1975) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as personal presidential aide and Deputy Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series ''The West Wing'', for wh ...
.
Timothy Omundson
Timothy Michael Omundson (born July 29, 1969) is an American actor. He is notable for his supporting roles as Sean Potter on the CBS television series ''Judging Amy'', Eli on the syndicated series '' Xena: Warrior Princess'', Carlton Lassite ...
returned as Head Detective
Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter, while
Maggie Lawson
Maggie Lawson (born August 12, 1980) is an American actress who is best known for her role as Detective Juliet "Jules" O'Hara in the television series ''Psych'', and its subsequent film series. From 2018 to 2019, she held the recurring role of ...
continued to portray
Juliet "Jules" O'Hara.
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor and film director. He appeared as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series ''L.A. Law'', was kept on as Henry Spencer.
Kirsten Nelson
Kirsten Nelson (born October 3, 1970) is an American actress and director best known for her role as police chief Karen Vick on the TV series ''Psych''.
Early life and education
Kirsten Nelson was born in Enid, Oklahoma and raised in Chicag ...
continued to receive star billing as
Karen Vick
This is a list of characters in the USA Network original comedy-drama television series ''Psych'' and subsequent sequel film series of the same name, the majority of which have been released to the Peacock streaming service. The principal cast o ...
, while her character was promoted to permanent Chief of the SBPD.
Sage Brocklebank
Sage Brocklebank (born January 14, 1978) is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Buzz McNab, a long-standing role on the comedy-drama ''Psych''. He also produces movies and writes for theatre and film.
Career
Actor
Since 2001 Brockleban ...
continued in his role as Officer
Buzz McNab
This is a list of characters in the USA Network original comedy-drama television series ''Psych'' and subsequent sequel film series of the same name, the majority of which have been released to the Peacock streaming service. The principal cast o ...
in six episodes.
Liam James
Liam James (born August 7, 1996) is a Canadian actor, known for his role as Noah Curtis in the 2009 film ''2012'', young Shawn Spencer on the USA Network television series ''Psych'', and the lead character, Duncan, in 2013's ''The Way, Way Back ...
portrayed young Shawn, while Carlos McCullers II continued to play young Gus.
Cybill Shepherd
Cybill Lynne Shepherd (born February 18, 1950) is an American actress, singer and former model. Her film debut and breakthrough role came as Jacy Farrow in Peter Bogdanovich's coming-of-age drama '' The Last Picture Show'' (1971) alongside Jef ...
joined the cast as Madeleine Spencer for three episodes.
Rachael Leigh Cook
Rachael Leigh Cook (born October 4, 1979) is an American actress and model. She has starred in the films ''The Baby-Sitters Club (film), The Baby-Sitters Club'' (1995), ''She's All That'' (1999), and ''Josie and the Pussycats (film), Josie and ...
also joined the show, as Abigail Lytar.
Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad ( ) ( Ayers-Allen; born June 19, 1948) is an American actress. She was most recently dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University before her three-year contract ended in May 2024. Known for her roles on stage and scree ...
reprised her role as Winnie Guster, while the role of Bill Guster was turned over to
Keith David
Keith David Williams (born June 4, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for his deep voice and screen presence in over 300 roles in film, stage, television, and interactive media.
He has starred in such films as '' The Thing'' (1982), ''Pla ...
.
Ally Sheedy
Alexandra Elizabeth Sheedy (born June 13, 1962) is an American actress. She made her feature film debut in '' Bad Boys'' (1983) and came to prominence as a member of the Brat Pack with roles in '' Oxford Blues'' (1984), '' The Breakfast Club'' ...
made her first appearance as the deranged serial killer Mr. Yang.
Jimmi Simpson
Jimmi Simpson (born November 21, 1975) is an American actor. Known for his work across film, television, and theatre, he is the recipient of BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Simpson made his feature film debut ...
also made his debut on the show, as Mary Lightly. Other prominent guests during the season included
MacKenzie Astin
Mackenzie Alexander Astin (born May 12, 1973) is an American actor.
Early and personal life
Astin was born on May 12, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, the son of actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin. His half brother is actor Sean Astin. H ...
,
Justine Bateman
Justine Bateman (born February 19, 1966) is an American filmmaker, author and former actress. Her acting work included '' Family Ties'', '' Satisfaction'', ''Men Behaving Badly'', '' The TV Set'', ''Desperate Housewives'', and ''Californication ...
,
Sonja Bennett
Sonja Bennett (born August 24, 1980) is a Canadians, Canadian actress and screenwriter. Her film debut was in the Canadian feature film ''Punch'' (2002), for which she won the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Canadian Fi ...
,
Jere Burns
Jere Eugene Burns II (; born October 15, 1954) is an American actor who has appeared in theatre productions and on television. He played the roles of ladies' man Kirk Morris on the television series '' Dear John'', DIA psychiatrist Anson Fullert ...
,
Faune A. Chambers,
Gary Cole
Gary Michael Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American actor. He began his professional acting career on stage at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. His breakout role was playing Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian in the NBC series '' M ...
,
Barry Corbin
Leonard Barrie Corbin (born October 16, 1940) is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as Maurice Minnifield on the television series ''Northern Exposure'' (1990–1995), which earned him two consecutive Primetime Emmy Award ...
,
Brooke D'Orsay
Brooke D'Orsay (born February 17, 1982) is a Canadian actress, best known for voicing the character of Caitlin Cooke on the Teletoon animated series ''6teen'' (2004–2010) and Brooke Mayo in the 2005 movie '' King's Ransom''.
For American audie ...
,
Jeff Fahey
Jeffrey David Fahey (, born November 29, 1952) is an American actor. His notable roles include Duane Duke in ''Psycho III'' (1986), Pete Verill in Clint Eastwood's ''White Hunter Black Heart'' (1990), Jobe Smith in ''The Lawnmower Man'' (1992), ...
,
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton Gifford (August 16, 1930 – August 9, 2015) was an American professional football player, actor, and television sports commentator. After a 12-year playing career as a halfback, flanker and safety for the New York Giants of ...
,
Milena Govich
Milena Govich ( ; Serbian: Милена Говић) (born ) is an American actress, director, singer, dancer, and musician, who may be best known for portraying Detective Nina Cassady for one season on ''Law & Order'' (2006–2007).
Early lif ...
,
Elden Henson
Elden Henson (born Elden Ryan Ratliff, August 30, 1977) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Fulton Reed in '' The Mighty Ducks'' trilogy (1992–1996), Foggy Nelson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and Pollux in '' The Hunge ...
,
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James (born August 31, 1979) Additional January 6, 2017. is an American Country music, country singer and Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE. She is also signed to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as Cre ...
,
Benjamin King,
Emma Lahana
Emma Kate Lahana (born ) is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles as Kira Ford, the Yellow Dino Ranger, in ''Power Rangers Dino Thunder'', Jennifer Mason on ''Haven'', and Brigid O'Reilly in '' Cloak & Dagger''.
Career
Lahana playe ...
,
Ted Lange
Theodore William Lange III (; born January 5, 1948) is an American actor, director and screenwriter best known for his roles as bartender Isaac Washington in the TV series ''The Love Boat'' (1977–1986) and Junior in ''That's My Mama'' (1974–7 ...
,
Jane Lynch
Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, comedian, and singer. Known for playing starring and recurring roles in comedic television, her accolades include one Golden Globe, five Primetime Emmys and two Screen Actors Gui ...
,
Christopher McDonald
Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an American actor.
McDonald is best known for playing the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy '' Happy Gilmore'', a role he’d later reprise in 2025’s sequel '' H ...
,
Bruce McGill
Bruce Travis McGill (born July 11, 1950) is an American actor. He worked with director Michael Mann in the films '' The Insider'' (1999), '' Ali'' (2001), and '' Collateral'' (2004). McGill's other notable film roles include Daniel Simpson "D-D ...
,
Ted McGinley
Theodore Martin McGinley (born May 30, 1958) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Jefferson D'Arcy on the television sitcom '' Married... with Children'', Charley Shanowski on the ABC sitcom '' Hope & Faith'', and as Derek on the ...
,
Ty Olsson
Tyler Victor Olsson(born January 28, 1974) is a Canadian actor. He is known for playing Ord in the PBS Kids animated children's series ''Dragon Tales'' (1999–2005), real-life 9/11 hero Mark Bingham in the A&E television film ''Flight 93'' (200 ...
,
Kelly Overton
Kelly Overton is an American actress. She is known for portraying Vanessa Van Helsing in the 2016 Syfy fantasy drama series ''Van Helsing''.
Early life
Overton grew up in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. After graduating from Minnechaug Regional Hi ...
,
Richard Riehle
Richard Riehle (born May 12, 1948) is an American character actor. A prolific performer, he has appeared in over four hundred films, television shows and other projects, making him one of the most-credited live action performers.
Life and career ...
,
Shawn Roberts
Shawn Roberts (born April 2, 1984) is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in zombie films such as '' Land of the Dead'', '' Diary of the Dead'' and the ''Resident Evil'' franchise.
Early life
Roberts was born in Stratford, Ontario. He has ...
,
Alan Ruck
Alan Douglas Ruck (born July 1, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for portraying Cameron Frye in John Hughes' film '' Ferris Bueller's Day Off'' (1986), as well as television roles as Stuart Bondek on the ABC sitcom '' Spin City'' (1996� ...
, Cassandra Sawtell,
Jonathan Silverman
Jonathan Elihu Silverman (born August 5, 1966) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the comedy films ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'', ''Weekend at Bernie's'', and its sequel ''Weekend at Bernie's II''.
Early life and education
Silverm ...
,
Todd Stashwick
Todd Stashwick is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Dale Malloy on ''The Riches'' (20072008) and Theodore Deacon on ''12 Monkeys (TV series), 12 Monkeys'' (20152018). He played Captain Liam Shaw in the Star Trek: Picard (season 3), ...
,
Serinda Swan
Serinda Swan (; born July 11, 1984) is a Canadian actress. She stars as Karla Dixon in the second season of the Amazon Prime Video series ''Reacher (TV series), Reacher''. From 2019 to 2022, she starred as Jenny Cooper in the CBC Television, CBC ...
,
Janet Varney
Janet Varney is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer. She is known for voicing the character of Korra in the Nickelodeon animated television series ''The Legend of Korra'', co-starring as Sheriff Evie Barret in the television ser ...
,
Steven Weber
Steven Robert Weber (born March 4, 1961) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Brian Hackett on the television series '' Wings'', and as Dr. Dean Archer on NBC’s Chicago Med. He also voiced Charlie B. Barkin in '' ...
,
Christopher Wiehl
Christopher Wiehl (born October 29, 1970) is an American actor.
Life and career
Wiehl was born in Yakima, Washington and is of Danish and German descent. His father, Dick Wiehl, was an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He ...
, and
Mykelti Williamson
Mykelti Williamson (; born Michael T. Williamson; March 4, 1957) is an American actor and director best known for his roles in the films ''Forrest Gump'', '' 12 Angry Men'' (1997), ''Con Air'', and '' Ali'', and the television shows ''Boomtown'' ...
.
Episodes
References
{{Psych
Psych seasons
2008 American television seasons
2009 American television seasons