Jennifer Hudson has signed on to star in the hit musical drama television series, in an extended guest spot during the next season.
The show, which stars Anjelica Huston, Katherine McPhee and Debra Messing, is centered around the production of a Marilyn Monroe-based musical.
Hudson is set to join the cast as Vanessa Moore, who is set to shake up the lives of Karen (McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty).
“This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. “Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it”.
Uma Thurman, Nick Jonas and Bernadette Peters have all starred in guest spots on the show.
Steven Spielberg, who is co-producer of the series, added “First Dreamgirls, now Smash. I have no doubt Jennifer will continue to deliver even more inspiration to the audience responsible for giving us a second season on NBC.”
Hudson won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls and joins her fellow American Idol alum Katherine McPhee on the show.
