Taraji P. Henson Set to Star in 'Annie Live' at NBC | THR News - video Dailymotion

The former 'Empire' lead will play Miss Hannigan in the musical, which is kicking off a search for a young actor to play the title role.

Transcript

00:00Taraji P. Henson is set to star in ABC's Annie Live as Miss Hannigan.

00:04Of course, the character of Miss Hannigan is the cruel head of the orphanage

00:08where young Annie lives and dreams of a better life.

00:10NBC will air Annie Live in late 2021.

00:13The show's producers are kicking off a nationwide virtual search

00:16for a young actor to play the title role.

00:19It will be the network's first live musical since Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert

00:23in 2018 starring John Legend.

00:25As for the role Henson will take on,

00:26Carole Burnett famously played Miss Hannigan in the 1982 movie based on the musical.

00:31Look at what I'm dripping with.

00:34Oh, girls!

00:37The Hidden Figures and Empire star said,

00:39Carole Burnett is someone I have studied and idolized as far back as I can remember.

00:43So when the opportunity came to me to join NBC and this incredible group of producers, I jumped.

00:48Carole, I hope to do you proud.

00:50Other stars who have portrayed the role on screen include Kathy Bates in a 1999 ABC musical

00:55and Cameron Diaz in the 2014 feature film.

00:58Henson is a three-time Emmy nominee including twice for Empire

01:01who also earned an Oscar nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

01:04Her credits include features What Men Want, Proud Mary, and Think Like a Man.

01:09For more on this story, go to THR.com.

01:11For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Tiffany Taylor.