Taraji P. Henson continues to be the woman of the hour. Following a successful first season on Fox’s hit drama “Empire,” the “Persons of Interest” alum nabbed a hosting role on “Saturday Night Live” among other things. And while season two is reportedly only prepping for its return at this point, Henson is still hands-on, coming up with ideas for her fan-favorite character, Cookie Lyon.
“I think for the next season I want to see what went on in the 17 years she was locked up. That’s what I really want to dive into, ’cause 17 years is a long time. We kind of get the family, we have done lots of flashbacks with the family life how they got to where they are, but I think people really want to know what happened those 17 years she was locked up,” she told E! News of her character’s evolution.
As for those A-listers rumored to make big appearances this season, including Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey and Golden Globe winner Common, Henson says she’s not sure if they’ve signed on the dotted line just yet, but she has the perfect role in mind for Oscar winner Washington. “What I hope is Denzel plays my dad, who was a rolling stone and had all these kids by all these different women. That’s my hope, but I don’t know how Lee [Daniels] will utilize him.”
But the hopes don’t stop there. Henson said she has her eye on Diana Ross, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep for guest spots. As for who Streep would play? “I hope she can come on and play my sister!”
While this seems like a stretch, if anyone can make it happen, it would be Cookie! In the meantime, you can catch Ms. Lyon in all her glory on Saturday, April 11 making her hosting debut on Comedy Central’s “Saturday Night Live.” “We do have a Cookie sketch. So everyone that is missing Cookie on Wednesdays, you will see her!” she continued.
