Taraji P. Henson joins the cast of ‘Abbott Elementary’ as Janine’s mother

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Taraji P. Henson joins the cast of ‘Abbott Elementary’ as Janine’s mother. (Read More Here).

The episode, appropriately titled “Mom,” will see Brunson’s Janine preparing to take a solo trip over Memorial Day weekend. Her plans get derailed when her mom, played by Henson, appears unannounced and asks for help.

Henson’s casting was revealed at the Paley Center for Media’s PaleyFest in Los Angeles on Saturday during an Abbott Elementary panel, which featured stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis in person. The hit comedy’s Janelle James and Chris Perfetti appeared via Zoom from New York, with Brunson sending a pre-taped message, as she prepares to host Saturday Night Live.

In the “Abbott Elementary” episode “Mom,” Janine (played by Brunson) is planning a Memorial Day weekend solo trip. But that’s derailed when her mother Vanetta, played by Henson, shows up unannounced and asking for help. (The episode’s 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 Janine’s family, as the show continues to start sharing more background on its characters. Also this season, Ayo Edibiri appeared as Ayesha, Janine’s 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’s casting was revealed at the Paley Center for Media’s PaleyFest in Los Angeles on Saturday during an Abbott Elementary panel, which featured stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis in person. The hit comedy’s Janelle James and Chris Perfetti appeared via Zoom from New York, with Brunson sending a pre-taped message, as she prepares to host Saturday Night Live.

Henson joins a string of guest stars to appear on Abbott Elementary as part of Janine’s family, with the show sharing more background on all of its characters. The Bear star Ayo Edibiri appeared earlier in season two as Ayesha, Janine’s sister. The teacher’s strained relationship with her family has been touched on in past episodes, with Ayesha and Janine working through their issues.

“I think relationships with mothers are very defining, especially for someone who is then taking care of children — like Janine, who’s caring for kids,” Brunson told Reuters in September 2022. “It connects a lot to her relationships in the school. I know a lot of women in my life who have had very complicated relationships with their moms unfortunately.”