Taraji P. Henson Inks First-Look Production Deal With Fox

Taraji P. Henson is returning to Fox.

The Empire star and the network have signed a multi-year, first-look production deal for new scripted and unscripted content.

In a press release on Wednesday, Oct. 29, Fox announced Henson will executive produce and create original comedies, dramas and reality shows in partnership with Fox Entertainment Studios (FES), through her TPH Entertainment banner.

“TPH stands on the pillars of community, so we are eager to embrace this storytelling collective and deliver compelling creative to audiences across the globe,” said Henson and Jamila Jordan-Theus, head of development and production at TPH.

Related: Terrence Howard Sues CAA Agents Over ‘Empire’ Salary

Henson played Cookie Lyon on the hit Fox music drama Empire for six seasons. The role earned her a Golden Globe Award, multiple NAACP Image Awards and an Emmy nomination.

“Taraji brings tremendous vision, commitment and creative fearlessness to every project, making her a truly inspiring partner,” Fox Entertainment Studios executives Hannah Pillemer and Allison Wallach said in a joint statement. “Together with TPH Entertainment, we’re excited to empower new voices and develop projects that both entertain and captivate today’s audiences.”

Henson, who is an Oscar nominated actress, most recently starred in Netflix’s Tyler Perry film Straw and Peacock’s limited series Fight Night. Among her other credits are the films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Color Purple, and Hidden Figures.

She will soon be seen in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Again? Earlier this month, she was spotted filming in Lake Como, Italy.

The long-awaited sequel to the 2010 film Why Did I Get Married Too? also features Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Jill Scott, Richard T. Jones, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker, and BMF star Da’Vinchi

Henson is repped by IAG, M88, 2PM Sharp, and attorney Jamie Feldman.

The actress was previously in talks to headline an untitled Empire spinoff for Fox after the original series concluded in 2020, but the project was ultimately shelved.

In a December 2023 interview with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Henson said her team at the time was unable to close the deal. After that, she changed management because she didn’t think her team did enough to capitalize on the success of Empire.

“Everybody had to f—king go. Where is my deal? Where’s my commercial? Cookie was at the top of the fashion game. Where is my endorsement? What did you have set up after this? That’s why you all haven’t seen me in so long. They had nothing set up,” she said.