Miranda Cosgrove has officially arrived at Abbott Elementary, but her character is hiding a rather unexpected detail beneath that school staff badge.
The former iCarly star made her debut in the ABC comedy's sixth season on October 21, appearing in the episode "Tryouts" as Natalie Scott, a substitute teacher brought in to ease the pressure on Gregory Eddie as he balances classroom duties with his new responsibilities as assistant principal.
Her casting had been announced earlier in October, alongside guest appearances from Ali Wong and Edi Patterson. At the time, the actresses' characters were being kept under wraps. A social media image featuring Cosgrove's fictional staff identification for the 2026–2027 school year offered an early clue about Natalie's identity.
Miranda Cosgrove's Character Has an Unexpected Secret
Although Natalie initially appears to be an ordinary new addition to Abbott's teaching staff, "Tryouts" reveals that she is also a Catholic nun.
The discovery comes after Gregory, Janine and Jacob invite Natalie to dinner, hoping to make the new substitute feel welcome and encourage her to stay at the school.
Instead, the evening becomes painfully awkward when Natalie arrives wearing religious attire. Her colleagues, caught off guard by the revelation, struggle to behave normally around her, turning what should have been a friendly dinner into another characteristically uncomfortable Abbott Elementary encounter.
The episode also gives Natalie an unexpectedly brief tenure at the school. By its conclusion, she reveals that she has accepted another teaching position at a Jesuit institution, leaving Gregory's classroom staffing problem unresolved.
While the storyline does not establish whether Cosgrove could return in a future episode, her character's departure means viewers should not assume that the guest appearance signals a permanent addition to Abbott's faculty.
Ali Wong Joins the Same Episode
Cosgrove is not the only high-profile guest appearing in "Tryouts." Ali Wong plays Ms. Pittman, a special education teacher whose expertise challenges Melissa and Barbara's confidence in their own classroom methods.
After initially resisting her guidance, the two veteran educators are forced to reconsider their approach, giving Wong a storyline that explores the importance of continuing professional development even for experienced teachers.
The episode also advances the school's step team's ambitions as they compete for a chance to progress towards a regional competition.
ABC's official promotional photographs confirm both Cosgrove and Wong's appearances, while the network's episode announcement establishes the October 21 broadcast date and the main storylines.
For viewers who missed the debut, "Tryouts" is the third episode of Abbott Elementary Season 6 and is available through ABC's official episode page, with streaming availability depending on location and subscription.
