‘It’s A Full Circle Moment for Me:’ Elsbeth’s Wendell Pierce Shares the Sweet Story Behind Why Vanessa Williams’ Guest Role Was So Special to Him

On November 8, 2024By Littum

We all have ours dream Elizabeth guest starsand in season 2 we’ve already got some fantastic ones, e.g Nathan Lane as a murderous opera fan and Christian Borle as his Good wife character. This week’s episode only adds to this growing and prestigious list as Vanessa Williams will be joining it. However, it’s not just her reputation that makes this guest spot so special, as she also has a very personal connection to one of the show’s stars, Wendell Pierce.

In the middle of Elsbeth’s Season 2 is running TV program 2024I had the opportunity to speak with its stars, Wendell Pierce and Carrie Preston, at New York Comic-Con. While there, I asked about the upcoming fourth episode — “Elsbeth’s Eleven” — and its big guest star, Vanessa Williams. Immediately Pierce would tell me a sweet story about his history with her and why her looks meant so much to him. He said:

Well, it’s a full circle moment for me because I met Vanessa in high school. I was 17 years old, we participated in this art recognition and talent search program together. And I first came to New York and spent my first weekend at her house. So we’ve been friends all along and it’s always a pleasure working with her.

Well, that’s just the cutest thing ever. Both Pierce and Williams have been working consistently since the mid-80s and have made big names for themselves in the decades that followed. So seeing them come together in this wonderful show is definitely “full circle,” as the actor put it.

Plus, what makes all of this even better is the fact that this episode deals with more than just murder, there’s also a heist. Williams plays a VIP customer at a jewelry store who decides to orchestrate said heist. However, she is also responsible for the poisoning of a man who works in the store.

It’s a super fun mystery that’s different from the other Elsbeth and co. has resolved, and Pierce went on to tell me that Williams was incredible in her role. He also noted that she would tell everyone that they have been friends for a very long time, as he explained:

And she is so safe. She is one of those people, she always feels good in her skin. She’s always just very relaxed and it was a full circle moment. We kept saying, ‘Oh, remember, we started,’ and she said, ‘Wendell and I have known each other since we were teenagers,’ so it was really cool to work with her.

Well, I love this so much for them. Honestly, it also makes me hope Williams is up to it return to Elizabeth regardless of the outcome of this episode so we can see her and The thread actor together again.

Carrie Preston also had high praise for her co-star’s friend. She explained that the work with Ugly Betty the actress was empowering and she was inspired by her work ethic and approach to the character. The Elsbeth star explained:

She is just so beautiful and so down to earth and personable but also a total boss. So I just love that combo. I always admire that and strive for it myself. And then she came to already own that role.

However, Vanessa Williams is not the only long-time friend of the cast. Her on-screen best friend will be played by Jenn Lyon, who happens to be one of Preston’s best friends. So there are a ton of dynamic duos on and off screen when it comes to this episode, and as Itches actress told me they “were in good hands all around.”

Overall, this wonderful story from Pierce showed how small the world is and added so much meaning to this week’s episode of Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Preston confirmed the force of nature Vanessa Williams is. All around, their comments have me hyped up for this episode, which I was already excited about because I love a heist.

All this is to say, this episode of Elizabeth is one you won’t want to miss. Not only does it feature a fun crime, but it reunites some longtime friends that we always love to see! So to see Wendell Pierce and Vanessa Williams share the screen, watch this week’s episode of Elizabeth when it is broadcast on CBS on Thursday 7 November at 10:00 PM ET, or you can stream the next day with one Paramount+ subscription.