Taraji P. Henson to Join ‘Abbott Elementary’ in Major Guest Star Role (EXCLUSIVE)

Comedy legend Dick Van Dyke, who recently appeared as a mystery contestant on The Masked Singer, is expanding his resume once again: He’s taped a guest appearance on the Peacock soap Days of Our Lives.

Selome Hailu Melissa Fumero, Danny Trejo are set to guest star in the May 2 episode of “Lopez v. Lopez.” Fumero will play Natalia, a Latina mother who mistakes Mayan for white, while Trejo plays Danny Martinez of Martin-E.Z. Movers, who is George’s rival and biggest competitor. Additionally, Judge Marilyn Milian and Erik Griffin will appear in the episode, with character details not yet revealed. Fumero is best known for starring as Amy Santiago opposite Andy Samberg in NBC’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Recently, she voice acted in Samberg’s adult animated Comedy Central series “Digman!” and HBO Max’s adult animated series “Velma.” In 2022, she appeared in the IFC comedy film “Barfight!” and the Netflix comedy “Blockbuster.” Other prominent credits include “One Life to Live,” “Gossip Girl,” “Royal Pains,” “CSI: NY” and “The Mentalist.” As a director, she has worked on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Grand Crew,” “Gordita Chronicles” and the upcoming Freevee comedy “Primo.”

Mischa Barton is joining the new season of the iconic Australian soap Neighbours, which will air on Amazon Freevee.

Katie Holmes likes to research her roles. Years ago, while preparing for the romantic-comedy “First Daughter.” Holmes revealed that she called Jenna Bush Hager for some help. Bush Hager never called back.

EXCLUSIVE: Rob Corddry is set as a lead opposite Terry Crews and Ryan Michelle Bathé in JumpStart, CBS’ multi-camera comedy pilot based on Robb Armstrong’s long-running comic strip, from Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, Wendi Trilling’s TrillTV and CBS Studios. He rounds out the series regular cast of the pilot, which Glynn Turman has joined as a guest star in a recurring role.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Pastrami-infused martinis, pink and white cookies and a “Maisel Tov” hot dog are on the menu as Amazon Prime Video has partnered with several different brands to help promote the final season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” And it’s not just food partnerships. Companies ranging from Pantone to Saks Fifth Avenue are part of an ambitious marketing campaign tied to the April 14 premiere of “Maisel” Season 5. Activities that day include the series’ cast, along with exec producers Amy Sherman Palladino and Daniel Palladino, ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, as well as a mile-long “takeover” of Fifth Avenue in New York from 46th Street to 56th Street and a 4 p.m. ‘60s-themed fitness class at the TWA Hotel at JFK airport.

Maisie Smith has reportedly landed first major film role, as she's said to have been cast in key role in the upcoming gangster film Bermondsey Tales: Fall Of The Roman Empire, alongside a handful of famous faces.The former EastEnders actress, 21, has been acting since a young age and first appeared in the long-running BBC soap as Tiffany Butcher back in 2008, when she was just six years old. Maisie went on to appear in 678 episodes of the popular soap. Prior to joining to cast of EastEnders, she made her film debut as a very young Elizabeth I in 2008’s The Other Boleyn Girl.

Abbott Elementary season two as a prominent guest star.The Hidden Figures actress will appear in an upcoming episode of the hit US sitcom as schoolteacher Janine’s (Quinta Brunson) estranged mother, Vanetta.The news was announced at a PaleyFest panel event in Los Angeles, California on Saturday (April 1), where Henson appeared via pre-recorded video message alongside permanent cast members Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Anna Walter, and William Stanford Davis, who were there in person.“Now I can’t share too many details with you so you’ll have to tune in to ABC, April 12,” Henson said, “but I can guarantee you that it is going to be a riot… I have been a fan of Abbott Elementary since day one. I’m so proud of Quinta, and I was excited to join her and the amazing cast.”Following the announcement, Abbott Elementary’s official Twitter account confirmed the news with an image of Henson and Brunson on set together.

Aisha Tyler is opening up about her time on . While speaking with ET's Nischelle Turner, the 52-year-old actress shared how she was «petrified» to play Charlie on the beloved sitcom, just ahead of her 20-year anniversary of appearing on the show.«The cast was incredibly kind, incredibly welcoming,» Tyler remembers of series stars Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.

James Corden is promising nothing but great things with the end of his run as host of . Over the weekend, ET spoke with the late-night host at PaleyFest, where he teased that the show is going out with a bang — and a big star.«My last guest is going to be huge pop star,» Corden told ET. «There's some really fun things to come.

Neil Patrick Harris will take to the Broadway stage as a special guest star in Peter Pan Goes Wrong, producers announced today.

Taraji P. Henson is joining the “Abbott Elementary” family and finally putting a face to Janine Teague’s mommy issues.

Taraji P. Henson is joining the  family and finally putting a face to Janine Teague's mommy issues. Per, the 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.

Taraji P. Henson is making a guest appearance on Abbott Elementary, the show confirmed at Paley Fest LA.

and as well as recurring appearances on and, Hugh Dancy is now part of the ensemble of the revived series. Appearing alongside Camryn Manheim, Jeffrey Donovan, Mehcad Brooks and Odelya Halevi, Dancy plays Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, working under District Attorney Jack McCoy (with Sam Waterston reprising the longtime role). What sets Price apart from other district attorney characters that have appeared on the long-running franchise is the fact that he is a former defense attorney with a hard anti-death penalty stance who also volunteered for the Innocence Project before being hired by the prosecution. «It's quite common for people to go from the world of prosecuting to the world of defense law because, bluntly, you get paid more for being a defense attorney,» Dancy says.

EXCLUSIVE: In competition, Amazon Studios is in final talks for the package The Pick Up, with Eddie Murphy eyeing to star and Tim Story attached to direct. John Davis and John Fox will produce through his Davis Entertainment banner. Murphy and Charisse Hewitt-Webster are also in talks to produce through Eddie Murphy Productions, and Story will also be producer.

Adam Sandler's career be like today if things played out differently early on? For example, if he'd gotten cast as Ross on, and thus teamed up with Jennifer Aniston even earlier?Well, as it turns out, that particular branching timeline wasn't really in the cards — despite some recent remarks the pair made while promoting their new film,, that seemingly implied that it was a possibility.The co-stars walked the red carpet at the premiere of their Netflix action comedy on Tuesday, and they each spoke with ET's Nischelle Turner about whether or not Sandler was actually in the running for the role — which ultimately went to David Schwimmer.«Well, that's a very big possibility,» Aniston said, before asking Sandler, «Were you really up to play Ross?»Sandler shook his head no, adding, «I would have!»«No that wasn't real,» Sandler added. «I was just joking.»However, that doesn't mean the pair were joking when talking with Drew Barrymore about wanting to do a movie adaptation of «Talk to the sweatshirted man!» Aniston said, referring to the casually dressed Sandler, when asked about the possibility. «It depends on how everybody responds to this film.»«If they enjoyed themselves and had a good time, Netflix will hopefully just say 'Yup!'» Aniston added enthusiastically.«I mean, honestly, I don't know if that's the one,» Sandler said, referring to the ideal project that he, Aniston and Barrymore could all collaborate on. «But that would be funny, I'm sure, if someone wrote a great script.»However, the real problem is stepping into the shoes of Jack Tripper — an iconic comedy role originally played by John Ritter in the beloved sitcom.«Jack Tripper is the best, by the way.

Adam Sandler's career be like today if things played out differently early on in his career? For example, if he'd gotten cast as Ross on, and thus teamed up with Jennifer Aniston even earlier?Well, as it turns out, that particular branching timeline wasn't really in the cards — despite some recent remarks the pair made while promoting their new film,, that seemingly implied that it was a possibility.The co-stars walked the red carpet at the premiere of their Netflix action comedy on Tuesday, and they each spoke with ET's Nischelle Turner about whether or not Sandler was actually in the running for the role — which ultimately went to David Schwimmer.«Well, that's a very big possibility,» Aniston said, before asking Sandler, «Were you really up to play Ross?»Sandler sadly shook his head, but added, «I would have!»«No that wasn't real,» Sandler added. «I was just joking.»However, that doesn't mean the pair were joking when talking with Drew Barrymore about wanting to do a movie adaptation of «Talk to the sweatshirted man!» Aniston said, referring to the casually dressed Sandler, when asked about the possibility. «It depends on how everybody responds to this film.»«If they enjoyed themselves and had a good time, Netflix will hopefully just say 'Yup!'» Aniston added enthusiastically.«I mean, honestly, I don't know if that's the one,» Sandler said, referring to the ideal project that he, Aniston and Barrymore could all collaborate on. «But that would be funny, I'm sure, if someone wrote a great script.»However, the real problem is stepping into the shoes of Jack Tripper — an iconic comedy role originally played by John Ritter in the beloved sitcom.«Jack Tripper is the best, by the way.

EXCLUSIVE: Actor, professional dancer and content creator Woody McClain has signed with M88 for representation. M88 will create and develop opportunities for McClain in the entertainment and strategic partnership spaces.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Republic Pictures, an historic movie label founded in 1935 and shuttered in 1967, has been revived by parent company Paramount Global. The banner will function as an acquisitions play, releasing titles acquired by Paramount Global Content Distribution. “We’ve chosen to revitalize the Republic banner given its storied history of delivering popular movies to a global audience, ” said Dan Cohen, Paramount chief content licensing officer and newly-named president of Republic Pictures. “With our best-in-class global distribution teams working to identify the best homes around the world, we aim to continue that legacy by offering audiences great entertainment across all genres.”