Huge Disney+ series signs Oscar-nominated actress for guest role – and fans can’t wait

A hugely popular Disney+ series is adding an Oscar-nominated actress to the cast.

Abbott Elementary, which airs on the streaming service in the UK and on ABC in the US, will welcome Empire star Taraji P. Henson for the penultimate episode of its second season.

The episode airs in the States on April 12, and hits Disney+ in the UK in the coming months.

Taraji, 52, is best known for playing Cookie Lyon in E4's Empire, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 2008 for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Taraji will guest star in one episode as main character Janine's (Quinta Brunson) mother.

The official synopsis for the guest stint says: “Janine’s plan for a Memorial Day weekend solo trip is derailed when her mother (Henson) shows up unannounced asking for help".

The series' official instagram account shared a snap of Quinta with Taraji on the show's set.

The image was captioned: "about that episode titled "mom" you saw earlier…"

Fans have gone wild since the announcement.

"Dreams do come true," one commented on the post.

"I gasped with joy," added a second.

"Omg omg omg" summed up a third.

As fans of the comedy know, the show revolves around the staff at an underfunded public school in Philadelphia and, in a similar vein to The Office, the show follows a mockumentary-style format.

The sitcom has become a huge hit with both viewers and critics alike since it debuted in late 2021.

It has won Emmy and Golden Globe Awards to name but a few, while breakout star Sheryl Lee Ralph has won several Outstanding Supporting Actress awards for her work on the show as Barbara Howard.

The series has been renewed for a third season which will air later this year.

The show's star Quinta Brunson, who also created the series, has become a huge star in America and hosted Saturday Night Live last night (April 1).