Watch Oprah Surprise a Weeping Danielle Brooks With "The Color Purple" Role

"That's Shug Avery to you," wrote Henson after news broke that she had joined the cast. "I am beyond THRILLED to share this news with you I've been dying to tell y'all!!! I'm so honored to play this iconic role and I can't wait to share more."

Henson is a veteran actress whose iconic portrayal of Cookie Lyon on "Empire" earned her the 2016 Golden Globe for best actress in a drama television series. She was also nominated for best supporting actress at the 2008 Oscars for her performance in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Henson has the singing chops, too: in 2021, she was "secretly" working on an EP, and she recently appeared as Miss Hannigan in NBC's "Annie Live!" musical special.