Jennifer Hudson is headed to "Smash," NBC announced via press release on Friday night.
The Oscar-winning actress will appear as a guest star on multiple episodes during the second season of the Broadway drama, starting with the season premiere. Per NBC, Hudson will play "Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty)."
Hudson, a former "American Idol" contestant, joins Uma Thurman and Nick Jonas as famous faces who have done guest stints on the polarizing series.
"We're thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson coming to ‘Smash,’” Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in the curiously timed press release (Friday evening missives are normally reserved for bad news). "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."
Hudson isn't the only newcomer headed to "Smash." Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan is on board for Season 2 as well. The series has undergone a swift makeover in the wake of its first season, with four of its co-stars -- Jamie Cepero (Ellis), Raza Jaffery (Dev), Will Chase (Michael) and Brian D'Arcy (Frank) -- all reportedly leaving the show. (D'Arcy recently revealed that he'll come back for at least one episode.) Former "Gossip Girl" executive producer Josh Safran is now in charge of "Smash," replacing former showrunner Theresa Rebeck.
For Hudson, appearing on "Smash" could potentially bring her one step closer to an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). The actress famously won an Academy Award for her role in "Dreamgirls," and earned a Grammy for her debut album, "Jennifer Hudson." Even if an Emmy doesn't come Hudson's way, at least she'll have all those decorative "Smash" scarves to wear throughout her guest arc.
Look for the series to return to television sometime in 2013.
