Taraji P. Henson is the latest addition to the cast of the upcoming Peacock limited series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” Variety has learned.
Henson joins previously announced cast members Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden. The role reunites Henson, Howard, and Craig Brewer, who is executive producing and directing. The three previously worked together on projects like the Oscar-winning film “Hustle & Flow” as well as the hit Fox music industry drama “Empire.”
The series is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Will Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures. It will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Hart will star as Chicken Man, described as “a hustler trying to level up.” Henson will play Vivian Thomas, Chicken Man’s mistress who is said to be “a savvy businesswoman.”
In addition to her acclaimed work in “Hustle & Flow” and “Empire,” Henson received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for the film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” She won a Golden Globe for her time on “Empire,” and received two out of her four Emmy nominations to date for her work on the show. She was also nominated for best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for “Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story” and for best guest actress in a comedy for her appearance on “Abbott Elementary.” Henson is also known for her roles in films like “Hidden Figures,” the two “Think Like a Man” films (which also starred Hart), and most recently “The Color Purple.”
She is repped by CAA, M88 and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Shaye Ogbonna serves as creator, and showruns alongside Jason Horwitch. Both executive produce alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hartbeat; Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media; Conal Byrne and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts; and Jeff Keating of Doghouse Pictures LLC and Lars Jacobson. Also executive producing is Brewer, who will direct the first two and last two episodes. Tiffany Brown, Erika Johnson, and Kenny Burns co-executive produce. UTV serves as the studio.