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

“Abbott Elementary” will lastly reveal Janine’s mom on the ABC comedy’s April 12 episode, and despite the fact that it’s April Idiot’s Day, we’re not (Cookie) Lyon: It’s “Empire” star Taraji P. Henson, who will play Vanetta on the hit comedy sequence.

The casting of Henson was revealed Saturday on the Paley Middle for Media’s annual PaleyFest LA occasion, the place an “Abbott Elementary” panel featured stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis in individual, in addition to Janelle James and Chris Perfetti through Zoom from New York. Pre-taping a message was star and govt producer Quinta Brunson, who wasn’t in a position to attend — as she’s internet hosting tonight’s installment of “Saturday Evening Stay.”

Within the “Abbott Elementary” episode “Mother,” Janine (performed by Brunson) is planning a Memorial Day weekend solo journey. However that’s derailed when her mom Vanetta, performed by Henson, exhibits up unannounced and asking for assist. (The episode’s B story line entails Gregory, performed by Williams, seeking to brush up on his folks expertise.)

“Mother,” which airs at 9 p.m. ET on April 12, is the twenty first episode of Season 2; the season finale of “Abbott Elementary” airs the following week.

Henson is the newest visitor star to look as part of Janine’s household, because the present continues to begin sharing extra background on its characters. Additionally this season, Ayo Edibiri appeared as Ayesha, Janine’s sister.

Henson earned three Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics Alternative Award and three BET awards for enjoying Cookie Lyon on the smash hit “Empire.” Her different credit embrace “Hustle & Move,” her breakout function that earned her a BET Award for finest actress, amongst different accolades.

Henson has been seen within the movies “Hidden Figures,” “Assume Like a Man,” “Discuss to Me,” “Smokin’ Aces,” “The Household That Preys,” “No Good Useless,” “Hurricane Season,” “Larry Crowne,” “What Males Need,” “The Better of Enemies” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which earned her an Oscar nom for supporting actress.

Henson has additionally lent her voice to the animated movies “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Film” and “Ralph Breaks the Web: Wreck It Ralph 2.” She moreover received an NAACP award for her function as Miss Hannigan in NBC’s “Annie Stay!”

Subsequent up, she seem within the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical tackle “The Colour Purple.”

Right here’s a primary look through “Abbott Elementary’s” social media: