Taraji P. Henson Will Play Miss Hannigan in NBC's 'Annie Live!'

Taraji P. Henson is taking on an iconic role!

The 50-year-old Empire actress will play Miss Hannigan in the upcoming Annie Live! NBC musical airing in December, Deadline confirmed Tuesday (June 8).

Find out more about the musical…

Taraji will play the villainous orphanage proprietor, who was played by Carol Burnett in the 1982 Annie film adaptation.

This is also the first casting announcement for the live production!

“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,” Taraji said in a statement.

“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,” said NBC’s Susan Rovner.

The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, winning seven Tony Awards, and was later adapted as a movie several times, including in 1982, 1999 and 2014. Get more details about the production!