Leighton Meester joins the cast of 'The Buccaneers' for season 2 — and her character has more surprises than audiences might have suspected.

The actress, 39, joins season 2 of the period drama as Nell, who is quickly revealed to be Nan St. George's (Kristine Frøseth) real mother in the premiere, which is now streaming on Apple TV+. For Meester,

Cora is another new character in season 2 and the wealthy American heir to the Merrigan’s department store who comes to England in search of a husband. Obsessed with Conchita and Richard’s fairytale love story, she and her mother agree to Conchita’s tutelage to help her land a noble English husband of her own.