Dianne Wiest is set to grace our screens with a delightful twist in her latest role on Elsbeth, where she portrays a spirited reverend mother in the episode titled “And Then There Were Nuns,” scheduled to air on November 20th. Known for her roles in Life in Pieces and Edward Scissorhands, Wiest brings her unique charm to a character caught between divine duty and earthly challenges.

The episode unfolds with Wiest’s character fiercely defending her convent from a determined pop star, played by Lindsey Normington, who aims to purchase the sacred ground and transform it. The drama heightens in an exclusive clip released by DECIDER from Season 3, Episode 7. Normington’s character arrives at the convent with ambitious plans, only to find herself in a tense standoff with Wiest’s formidable nun.

The confrontation begins with a touch of dark humor as Normington’s character quips, “Okay, not this, but something like this: here’s the church, here’s the steeple, here’s the coffin ’cause your games are lethal,” into her phone. Her bravado is met with surprise as Wiest’s nun appears before her, ready to challenge the pop star’s intentions.

Seated on a bench, the two characters engage in a pointed exchange about the future of the convent. Normington’s character envisions the church as a “perfect place for my new recording studio,” describing it as having “really good energy, kind of a slay, right?” Wiest’s nun, with a blend of reluctance and wit, echoes back, “It is slay.” The full exchange, filled with comedic tension and sharp dialogue, can be viewed in the clip provided below.

“Something about this place is lowkey like really good energy, it’s literally the perfect place for my new recording studio, kind of a slay, right?” Normington’s singer says as Wiest’s character reluctantly responds, “It is slay.” Check out the full clip in the player below…

Not only is it a perfect role for Wiest, who recently completed a guest-starring arc on Only Murders in the Building Season 5, it marks a full-circle moment for Jon Tolins, Elsbeth‘s showrunner. According to an interview with TV Line, one of Tolins’ earliest projects involved Wiest, some 40 years ago.

“It’s a thrill, a special thrill for me because in the summer of 1984, I was an apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and one of my jobs was to do props for a production of Uncle Vanya that featured the young Dianne Wiest as Sonya. That production was really important to me, and I always say it was kind of the thing that made me want to be a playwright. So, to be working with her now in this capacity is just a special thrill,” he told the outlet.

Elsbeth airs at 10 p.m. local on CBS and episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.

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