From acting alongside Brad Pitt in 2007’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to helping bring the story of Black NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson to the big screen with Hidden Figures, Taraji P. Henson has solidified her status as a significant, multifaceted award-winning actress. Now, the 50-year-old has snagged the role of Miss Hannigan in the upcoming NBC special Annie Live!

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In the original musical, Miss Hannigan plays Little Orphan Annie’s authority figure, who is also head of the orphanage. The character is known for her villainous dislike of children, Annie in particular. The role has been played previously by Kathy Bates, Cameron Diaz and Carol Burnett.

“Carol Burnett, who brought Miss Hannigan to life in the classic 1982 movie, 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,” Henson

told Deadline about the Annie Live! opportunity.

Since NBC’s 2013 The Sound of Music Live! special with Carrie Underwood, the network has released other live musicals, including 2015’s The Wiz Live! and 2016’s Hairspray Live!

Chairman of Entertainment Content at NBCUniversal Television Susan Rovner told Deadline about 2021’s live special, “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. Watching her take on this iconic role will be a thrill that has all the makings of must-watch television,” she

added.

According to Deadline, Henson’s casting was the first for Annie Live! as film producers and talent scouts search for an actress to take the leading role, Little Orphan Annie.

The NBC live special is set to air this holiday season on Thursday, December 2.