Taraji P. Henson’s new package deal at BET Studios is already paying off, with Henson in talks to produce and star in “Queenie,” a new series about Stephanie St. Clair, aka “Godmother of Harlem.”
The series is adapted by Lee Davenport, and is based on the book “The World of Stephanie St. Clair: Entrepreneur, Race Woman and Outlaw in Early Twentieth Century Harlem” by Shirley Stewart. It tells the true story of Saint Clair, who in the 1920s and 1930s was the “most profitable ‘numbers’ female banker in an illegal underworld run by the most vicious and infamous men.”
“Quite simply, all she wants is to run her own business and take care of her. After all, she was a lady,” explains the series record. “But when a greedy and violent gangster began encroaching on her territory, she stood up in defiance, and waged a war that changed Harlem and her life forever.”
In addition to starring in the project, Henson will produce under the TPH Entertainment banner alongside Kristen and Mark Holder of Wonder Street. The winners chose the book and brought the project to Academy Award-nominated and co-producing partner Kristen Conley, who would also produce it.
In March, Henson and TPH Entertainment signed a blanket deal with BET Studios as the company continues its mission to provide a growing demand for premium content from black creators.
“BET has always been the foundation of my fan base and a huge supporter of me throughout my career,” Henson stated at the time, announcing the partnership. “BET Studios fully understands and aligns with my vision of why TPH Entertainment was founded, to maximize opportunities and create content that challenges audiences and inspires new perspectives. I am so excited to join them and for the great content we will create together. This partnership is going to be for culture.”
While Henson is best known for her Emmy-nominated run as Cookie Lyon in “Empire” and her Academy Award-nominated performance in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (she plays a woman, coincidentally named Queenie), her filmography includes other historical roles. In the 2016 movie Hidden Numbers, Henson steps into the history-making shoes of NASA mathematician Katherine J. Johnson. The film was nominated for Best Picture. In 2019, Henson embodied the late human rights activist Ann Atwater in “The Best of Enemies”. The famous actor is set to appear as Shuge Avery in the Blitz Bazawule musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.”
Henson is represented by CAA, M88, The Lede Company, Johnson, Shapiro and Slewitt & Kole.
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