Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Video/News Video
EntertainmentNews Video

‘The People Ain’t Ready’: Taraji P. Henson Excites Fans with News That She Will Play Miss Hannigan In ‘Annie Live’

Posted byBy Danielle Jones | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

In her acting career, Taraji P. Henson is known to play some beloved and funny characters in many of her films and TV shows. One thing many of her roles have in common is their fierce persona. Now Henson will get to bring that same energy into a different kind of role.

It was announced on Tuesday, June 8, that Henson has been cast to play Miss Hannigan in NBC’s next live musical play, “Annie Live!.” The production will air Thursday, Dec. 2. Miss Hannigan is the headmistress of an orphanage, which is ironic since she has a strong dislike for children. After one of her orphans named Annie runs away, she, her brother Rooster, and his girlfriend Lily team up to try to catch her.

Taraji P. Henson (L) will star as Miss Hannigan (R) originally played by Carol Burnett, in “Annie Live!” Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images/ Screenshot from the film “Annie.”

In the original 1982 film, Miss Hannigan was playwd by actress-comedian Carol Burnett and now Henson says she is excited to try to fill those same shoes. She said Burnett, “is someone I have studied and idolized as far back as I can remember. So when the opportunity came to me to join NBC and this incredible group of producers, I jumped! Carol, I hope to do you proud.”

Susan River, chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, shared how NBC decided to put on the Tony Award-winning musical and why the brand is excited to work with Henson. “When we decided to bring back NBC’s holiday musical tradition, we were looking for something that was critically acclaimed and universally beloved – and while that’s definitely the case with ‘Annie,’ it absolutely applies to Taraji as well.” She added, “Watching her take on this iconic role will be a thrill that has all the makings of must-watch television.”

Fans and friends shared their reactions to the news on social media after the actress posted about it on Instagram. One person said, “You gone eat. Role was made for you.” Her close friend Tracie Jade Jackson wrote, “This is going to be SO FREAKIN’ GOOD and FUN!!!! The people ain’t ready!! 🔥🔥🔥💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾.”

Henson is the first person to be cast in the live musical while NBC is still in search of who will take on the role of Annie.

Still independent.

We hope this story was worth your time. For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed Black-owned and independently run. We didn't get here by waiting on ad budgets that were never built to prioritize us. Our readers did that.

Corporate support for Black media has always been thin. Outlets like ours get roughly 1% of the $170 billion spent on U.S. advertising each year, and that margin is shrinking further as advertisers walk back the DEI-linked commitments they made in 2020. That's the backdrop. It's not why we're asking.

The wider picture isn't any steadier. Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under, it's rarely the ones built to center a Black perspective from the ground up that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top