Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary casts an iconic television personality as Janine's (Quinta Brunson) mom for the upcoming penultimate episode of season 2.

However, her most prominent recent role was in the 2016 Fox drama Empire, where she played hip-hop empire matriarch Cookie Lyon for 102 episodes. [Abbott Elementary](https://screenrant.com/tag/abbott-elementary/) has cast a TV icon in the role of Janine's mother. Henson is an actress who has always had one foot in the film world and the other in television.

The Oscar-nominated actor will play a character viewers have heard plenty about on the ABC sitcom.

[Fox](https://www.tvinsider.com/network/fox/) musical drama Empire. Henson](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/taraji-p-henson/) will play that character, Vanetta, in April 12’s penultimate Season 2 episode, fittingly titled “Mom.” In “Mom,” Janine (Brunson) plots a solo vacation for Memorial Day weekend, but those plans go out the window when Vanetta drops by unannounced and asks for Janine’s help, THR adds. [Muppets Haunted Mansion](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/muppets-haunted-mansion/) and [Annie Live!](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/annie-live/), lent her voice to the animated movie [Minions: The Rise of Gru](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/minions-the-rise-of-gru/), and singed up for a new film adaptation of [The Color Purple](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/the-color-purple-2023/). Other notable credits include the films Hustle & Flow, [The Curious Case of Benjamin Button](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/), and [Hidden Figures](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/hidden-figures/) and the TV show [Person of Interest](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/person-of-interest/). “Meanwhile, I am still here dealing with her by myself.” And I couldn’t get together when Mom… “About that episode titled ‘Mom’ you saw earlier…” the show’s Twitter caption reads. when the person who needed me the most was the most disappointed in me.” [Tyler James Williams](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/tyler-james-williams/)) tries to elevate his people skills. [Quinta Brunson](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/quinta-brunson/) posing with Henson in the hallways of the fictional school. [Abbott Elementary](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/abbott-elementary/) viewers have heard about Janine Teagues’ mother on the [ABC](https://www.tvinsider.com/network/abc/) sitcom, but soon they’ll put a face to the reputation: [Empire](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/empire/) alum [Taraji P.

Quinta Brunson has announced that Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of Abbott Elementary in a key guest role in the penultimate episode of Season 2.

The upcoming episode, "Educator of the Year," will center on Gregory gaining a major award, Janine dealing with a difficult student, and reveal big news with Barbara ( [Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-characters-sheryl-lee-ralph-comments/)). Along with meeting Janine's family, viewers learned a little more about Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) and [her relationship with reading](https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-season-2-lisa-ann-walter-comments/), saw the [Janine and Gregory](https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-season-2-gregory-janine-kiss/) ship set sail, and, most recently, the teachers took a stand against [Legendary Charter Schools](https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-showdown/). Vanetta's arrival on the series will also be the second time viewers meet a member of Janine's family, following the introduction of [her sister Ayesha](https://collider.com/abbott-elementary-clip-ayo-edebiri/) (Ayo Edebiri). Meanwhile, Gregory ( [Tyler James Williams](https://collider.com/tyler-james-williams-interview-the-argument/)) will be focusing on his people skills. Henson](https://collider.com/tag/taraji-p-henson/) is the newest guest star to join the series. Per [Variety](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/taraji-p-henson-abbott-elementary-guest-star-role-1235570809/), [Taraji P.

Taraji P. Henson will make a guest appearance in the TV show 'Abbott Elementary' in a major role.

The series is set in an underfunded public school in Philadelphia and follows a group of dedicated teachers as they deal with the ups and downs of teaching their pupils. Abbott Elementary is a program that everyone should see. The series features a talented cast that delivers sharp, witty humor while conveying the emotional weight of the characters' challenges. Fans of the show are looking forward to her appearance, and her performance is bound to be memorable. Her acting talent and range make her an ideal match for Abbott Elementary, and her appearance will undoubtedly be a highlight of the upcoming season. Her appearance will surely draw even more attention to the series and cement it as one of the must-see comedies on television.

The panel included stars Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Tyler James Wiliams and William Stanford Davis. Creator and star Brunson missed out on the panel to ...

Creator and star Brunson missed out on the panel to prepare for [her Saturday Night Live debut](https://www.etonline.com/snl-quinta-brunson-jokes-about-friends-lack-of-diversity-and-pushes-for-teachers-to-get-paid-more). [previously announced third season](https://www.etonline.com/abbott-elementary-renewed-for-season-3-after-winning-big-at-2023-golden-globes-197186). In the meantime, Gregory (Williams) notices his colleagues are great at small talk and realizes he needs to brush up on his people skills. For them to think that we're deserving of this award, it just hits different, it really does," she noted. [Variety](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/taraji-p-henson-abbott-elementary-guest-star-role-1235570809/), the Empire actress will guest star as Quinta Brunson's TV mom, Vanetta, in the season's penultimate episode aptly titled "Mom." The news was announced on Saturday, during the show's panel at the Paley Center for Media's annual PaleyFest L.A.

At PaleyFest, Insider asked Tyler James Williams about the "Abbott Elementary" 'ship fans want to see and why Gregory's hesitant to make a move.

"There are like two Janine and Gregory moments this season that I really love… The moment Williams' teased doesn't appear to be in that episode. "Then I got to transfer schools," Williams said, adding, "There's a whole thing there. "Do I want to cross that line here and push this issue and then possibly ruin this?" "Do you want to have a relationship with your coworker?" After pulling back, Janine (Quinta Brunson) grabbed a hold of his conference lanyard and pulled him back in for a second kiss.