Jennifer Hudson Will Guest Star In ‘Smash’ Season 2

Jennifer Hudson will be a staple in Season 2 of the NBC hit “Smash,” with her first significant TV gig since “American Idol.”

The show has a new showrunner, “Gossip Girl’s” Josh Safran, and he has made a few changes to the show, including ditching the show’s most-hated characters, Ellis and Dev, and bringing on Jeremy Jordan, a Broadway star who will play a self-destructive Brooklynite, according to Zap 2 It.

As for Hudson? She will play Veronica, a talented performer who has reached Broadway star status. In the season, Hudson’a character has a Tony Award on her shelf, but she made significant sacrifices along the way to success.

E! Online reports that Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, stated:

“We’re thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson coming to Smash. This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson. Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it.”

Steven Spielberg, the show’s executive producer, added that:

“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. It’s wonderful to be reunited with her at DreamWorks Television and NBC.”

Jennifer Hudson has won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting actress in 2006’s Dreamgirls. She also has a Grammy on her shelf, and was a Season 3 American Idol finalist. Hudson will join the show’s cast for a “multi-episode” arc.