Taraji P. Henson to Join ‘Abbott Elementary’ in Major Guest Star Role (EXCLUSIVE)

Abbott Elementary will finally reveal Janines mother on the ABC comedys April 12 episode, and even though its April Fools Day, were not (Cookie) Lyon: Its Empire star Taraji P. Henson, who will play Vanetta on the hit comedy series.

The casting of Henson was revealed Saturday at the Paley Center for Medias annual PaleyFest LA event, where an Abbott Elementary panel featured stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis in person, as well as Janelle James and Chris Perfetti via Zoom from New York. Pre-taping a message was star and executive producer Quinta Brunson, who wasnt able to attend as shes hosting tonights installment of Saturday Night Live.

In the Abbott Elementary episode Mom, Janine (played by Brunson) is planning a Memorial Day weekend solo trip. But thats derailed when her mother Vanetta, played by Henson, shows up unannounced and asking for help. (The episodes B story line involves Gregory, played by Williams, looking to brush up on his people skills.)

Mom, which airs at 9 p.m. ET on April 12, is the 21st episode of Season 2; the season finale of Abbott Elementary airs the next week.

Henson is the latest guest star to appear as a part of Janines family, as the show continues to start sharing more background on its characters. Also this season, Ayo Edibiri appeared as Ayesha, Janines sister.

Henson earned three Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics Choice Award and three BET awards for playing Cookie Lyon on the smash hit Empire. Her other credits include Hustle Flow, her breakout role that earned her a BET Award for best actress, among other accolades.

Henson has been seen in the films Hidden Figures, Think Like a Man, Talk to Me, Smokin Aces, The Family That Preys, No Good Dead, Hurricane Season, Larry Crowne, What Men Want, The Best of Enemies and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which earned her an Oscar nom for supporting actress.

Henson has also lent her voice to the animated films Minions: The Rise of Gru, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2. She additionally won an NAACP award for her role as Miss Hannigan in NBCs Annie Live!

Next up, she appear in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical take on The Color Purple.

Heres a first look via Abbott Elementarys social media:

about that episode titled mom you saw earlier@tarajiphenson pic.twitter.com/k8Xlgr0yeH

Abbott Elementary (@AbbottElemABC) April 1, 2023