Taraji P. Henson to Play Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie Live!’

Taraji P. Henson has been cast in NBC’s upcoming special “Annie Live!”

On Tuesday, it was announced that the “Empire” star will play the iconic Miss Hannigan — the head of the Hudson Street Orphanage — in the network’s live TV adaptation of the musical based on the Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.”

While citing Carol Burnett, who played Miss Hannigan in the 1982 film version, Henson said in a statement, “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!” the actress continued.

Susan Rovner, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming’s chairman, Entertainment Content, added that Henson’s casting “will be a thrill that has all the makings of must-watch television.”

“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,” Rovner said.

As for the role of Annie, an orphan who is later adopted by Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the network is undergoing a nationwide search for “a young, future star of any ethnicity to bring optimism, spunk, honesty and a wisdom beyond their years to the classic role.”

Of course, Henson is no stranger to theater. She has appeared in August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” and the Pasadena Playhouse’s ”Above the Fold.”