Meet Lady Mae Greenleaf

On OWN’s new megachurch drama Greenleaf, Lynn Whitfield plays Lady Mae Greenleaf, the wife of Bishop James Greenleaf, the leader of Greenleaf World Ministries in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lady Mae is as much a believe in God as she is the family business. “She is also a real believer in the power of controlling a family business, which that happens to be a church,” Lynn says. “She also brings to the family and to the church a kind of grace, elegance and no messin’ around attitude all in one.”

Ultimately, Lynn says, she has a deep appreciation of this character. “I find her to be a very interesting layered character, flawed, with many great qualities,” Lynn says. “Just a real challenge and joy to play because we are presenting a woman who has good traits and who has problems.”

Tune in for the two-night season premiere on Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and Wednesday, June 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and 10 p.m. ET/PT. The remaining episodes will air regularly on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.