Erika Bracy
Abbott Elementary will finally reveal Janine’s mother on the April 12 episode of the ABC comedy, and while it’s April Fools’ Day, We’re Not (Cookie) Lyon: It’s Empire star Taraji P. Henson who plays Vanetta will hit comedy series.
The cast of Henson was announced Saturday at the annual PaleyFest LA at the Paley Center for Media, which featured an “Abbott Elementary” panel starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis in person, as well as Janelle James performed and Chris Perfetti via Zoom from New York. Star and Executive Producer Quinta Brunson, who was unable to attend, was able to take a message ahead of time as she is hosting tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Live.
In the Abbott Elementary episode “Mom,” Janine (played by Brunson) plans a solo trip for Memorial Day weekend. But that is derailed when her mother, Vanetta, played by Henson, shows up unannounced and asks for help. (The episode’s B story revolves around Gregory, played by Williams, trying to brush up on his social skills.)
“Mom,” which airs April 12 at 9 p.m. ET, is the 21st episode of Season 2; The season finale of Abbott Elementary airs next week.
Henson is the latest guest star to appear as part of Janine’s family as the show continues to begin sharing more background on her characters. Also this season, Ayo Edibiri appeared as Ayesha, Janine’s sister.
Henson received three Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics Choice Award, and three BET Awards for his role as Cookie Lyon on the hit “Empire.” Her other credits include “Hustle & Flow,” her breakout role, which earned her a BET Award for Best Actress, among others.
Henson has been in the movies 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 nomination 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 also won an NAACP award for her role as Miss Hannigan on NBC’s “Annie Live!”
She next appears in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical The Color Purple.