It was the cameo that actually made people scream at their televisions. When the first season of the Night Court reboot wrapped up in 2023, Dan Fielding—the once-shameless, now-weary public defender played by John Larroquette—was sitting on a judge’s bench in New Orleans. A defendant walked in. She was tall, she looked entirely unimpressed by the legal system, and she had a stare that could melt steel.
“Roz?!” Dan gasped.
“Take me back to jail,” she shot back.
For fans of the original 1980s sitcom, seeing Marsha Warfield back as Roz Russell wasn't just a nostalgia trip. It was a miracle. The original show was notorious for what some called the "bailiff curse." Marsha was actually the third actor to fill that seat after Selma Diamond and Florence Halop both tragically passed away from lung cancer during the show's early run. Warfield didn't just break the curse; she became the soul of the courtroom.
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Why Roz Russell Still Matters in 2026
When Marsha Warfield joined the cast in Season 4 back in 1986, she changed the energy of the show. She wasn't just another "snarky old lady" like her predecessors. She was young, tough, and took absolutely zero nonsense from Dan Fielding’s relentless (and often problematic) flirting.
Honestly, the reboot wouldn't feel right without her. While many reboots try to distance themselves from the past or lean too hard on "member-berries," the way the new Night Court handled Marsha Warfield’s return felt... right. It wasn't just a 30-second walk-on. They actually gave her a life.
In the second season, we found out Roz wasn't just some random traveler. She was in New Orleans for her bachelorette party. This was a massive moment for the character and the actress. In the 80s, Roz’s personal life was mostly a mystery, though Marsha has since said she played the character as if she were in the closet. Now, in the 2020s, the show made it canon: Roz is a lesbian, she’s in love, and she’s living her truth.
The "Pension Tension" and the Big Badge Return
If you haven't kept up with the most recent episodes in 2025 and early 2026, things got even better. Marsha Warfield didn't just stop by for a wedding—which, by the way, was a highlight of Season 2, with Dan Fielding walking her down the aisle. She actually put the uniform back on.
In the Season 3 episode "Pension Tension," Roz returns to Manhattan to sort out her retirement paperwork. But because it’s Night Court, nothing goes smoothly. Judge Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch) ends up hiring her back temporarily. Seeing Roz back in the uniform, standing next to the new bailiff Gurgs (Lacretta), is a "passing of the torch" moment that actually works.
Gurgs is terrified of her. Most of the staff is terrified of her. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
What Most People Get Wrong About Marsha’s "Disappearance"
There’s this weird narrative that Marsha Warfield just "quit" show business after Empty Nest ended in the mid-90s. That’s not really the whole story.
She did step back. She moved to Las Vegas. She helped raise her nephew. She dealt with the loss of her mother and her aunt, who died within months of each other. She’s been very open recently about the "stage rust" she felt after taking nearly 20 years off from stand-up comedy.
Coming back to Night Court at age 70 wasn't just an acting gig for her. It was a re-introduction. She had to learn how to be Roz again while being a completely different woman than she was in 1986.
- The Comedy Roots: She started in 1974. She’s a stand-up at heart.
- The Real Roz: Her character was named after the actress Rosalind Russell because the writers knew Marsha had that same sharp, fast-talking wit.
- The Survivor: She and John Larroquette are the last primary cast members from the original "golden era" still with us.
The Human Element: Marsha and John
There is a genuine, heavy sweetness to the scenes between Marsha Warfield and John Larroquette. When they look at each other on screen, they aren't just acting. They are two people who shared a decade of their lives on a Top 10 show, survived the industry, and lost almost all their friends from that era—Harry Anderson, Markie Post, Charlie Robinson, and Richard Moll.
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Larroquette has said in interviews that seeing her again was "joyful" amid the sadness of being the last one left. You can see that connection in the way they play off each other. The snark is still there, but there’s a layer of "I’m glad you’re still here" that you just can't fake.
How to Watch the Best Roz Moments
If you're looking to catch up on the Marsha Warfield Night Court saga, you don't need to watch every single episode of the reboot, though it helps.
- Season 1, Episode 16: The big reveal in New Orleans.
- Season 2, Episode 1: Roz and Dan reunite in a jail cell. It's vintage comedy.
- Season 2, Episode 16: The wedding. Bring tissues.
- Season 3, Episode 10: "Pension Tension." The return of the badge.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re a fan of Marsha or the show, don't just wait for the reruns. Marsha Warfield is more active now than she has been in decades.
Follow the Stand-up: She still performs. She recently worked with the "Funny Women of a Certain Age" troupe. If she’s coming to your city, go see her. Her comedy now is raw, honest, and focuses on her life as an out Black woman in her 70s.
Check out 9-1-1: If you miss her on your screen, she has a recurring role as Antonia "Toni" Wilson. It’s a very different vibe from Roz, but her gravitas is still there.
Stream the Classics: If you’ve only seen the reboot, go back to Season 4 of the original. Watch her first episode where she explains her name. It’s a masterclass in deadpan delivery.
The return of Marsha Warfield to Night Court proves that you can go home again—you just might have to bring a little more wisdom and a much sharper tongue with you.
Next Steps for You: To see the modern Roz in action, head over to Peacock where all seasons of the Night Court reboot are currently streaming. If you want to compare the eras, the original series is also available on Freevee and Roku Channel. Start with the Season 2 finale of the reboot to see the most emotional arc for her character to date.