\n Taraji P. Henson.<\/span> Domine Jerome\/ABACA\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Finally putting a face to the name. Taraji P. Henson<\/strong><\/a> is joining season 2 of Abbott Elementary<\/em><\/a> in the role of Janine\u2019s (Quinta Brunson<\/strong><\/a>) estranged mother.<\/p>\n \u201cI was so exited to join Quinta and the amazing cast!\u201d Henson, 52, said in a special video message at PaleyFest in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 1.<\/p>\n The panel for the hit ABC series also included cast members Sheryl Lee Ralph<\/strong><\/a>, Tyler James Williams<\/strong><\/a>, Lisa Ann Walter <\/strong><\/a>and William Stanford Davis<\/strong>. Janelle James<\/strong> and Chris Perfetti<\/strong> appeared via webcam while Brunson, 33, and the Empire<\/em> alum pre-recorded their messages.<\/p>\n Henson will appear in an episode titled \u201cMom,\u201d which is set to air on April 12. The exciting casting news comes after Ayo Edebiri<\/strong><\/a> made her onscreen debut as Janine\u2019s sister, Ayesha, last month. The Bear<\/em><\/a> star, 27, previously made a cameo when fans saw the sibling duo have an awkward conversation<\/a> over FaceTime.<\/p>\n Janine\u2019s strained relationship with her mother and sister has been a minor story line<\/a> in past episodes. Although the teacher was able to work out her issues with Ayesha, Brunson hinted that Janine would still have to face her mom.<\/p>\n \u201cI think relationships with mothers are very defining, especially for someone who is then taking care of children \u2014 like Janine, who\u2019s caring for kids,\u201d the Golden Globe winner told Reuters<\/em> in September 2022. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Brunson, it felt important to show the aftermath of how the personal trauma affected Janine. That same month, the screenwriter teased what else fans of the critically acclaimed comedy series could expect in season 2.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be going home and out with them more. In the first season, I really wanted people to fall in love with Abbott the school and the staff. We wanted people to feel like they wanted to work at or went to Abbott,\u201d she shared with Entertainment Weekly<\/em>. \u201cThis season, they know us well. They know the teachers well. They know the school well. Now, we can go out to events and parties, into our characters\u2019 houses and be outside more. But I still believe a workplace comedy should take place in the workplace. So, it\u2019s not like we\u2019ll be turned into a whole other show.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ralph, 66, praised Abbott Elementary<\/em> for coming up with new ways to highlight the characters outside of the classroom<\/a>. \u201cYou are continuing to learn more about these characters. Who they really are [and] what their points of views are,\u201d the Dreamgirls<\/em> star exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> in February. \u201cI just love that my character \u2014 even though you haven\u2019t seen my husband in this particular season \u2014 we talk about him. I love the fact that that is a loving relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n Ralph recalled the moment she realized Abbott Elementary<\/em> was something special.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were shooting the pilot, Tyler and I had a moment where we looked at each other and he literally said, \u2018You feel it, don\u2019t you?\u2019 And I said, \u2018Absolutely, I feel it. Something is going on here. Something is happening,’\u201d she added. \u201cGoing into the first season \u2014 the first 18 episodes \u2014 we were not shocked at all. We knew we were doing something very special.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Taraji](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Taraji-P.-Henson-Joins-Season-2-of-ABCs-Abbott-Elementary-as-Janines-Estranged-Mother-Details-471.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Quinta Brunson.<\/span> Matt Sayles\/ABC<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n