LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter)- “Hustle & Flow” co-star Taraji P. Henson is joining the cast of David E. Kelley’s legal comedy-drama “Boston Legal” as a regular.
Taraji P. Henson waves at the screening of "Talk to Me" at the Mann Village theatre during the opening night for the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival in Los Angeles June 21, 2007. Henson is joining the cast of David E. Kelley's legal comedy-drama "Boston Legal" as a regular. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Additionally, former regulars Mark Valley and Rene Auberjonois will return for multiple episodes on the ABC series’ upcoming fourth season.
Saffron Burrows and Gail O’Grady also will appear in multiple episodes of the drama, which is undergoing a major cast overhaul this summer.
Last month, the options on four regulars -- Valley, Auberjonois, Julie Bowen and Constance Zimmer -- were not picked up. Emmy winner John Larroquette and Tara Summers joined the show as regulars, while recurring player Christian Clemenson was upped to a regular.
Larroquette will play Carl Sack, a senior partner from the New York offices of Crane Poole & Schmidt who transfers to Boston. Henson will portray a high-powered corporate litigator out of the New York office whom Sack brings in to help wrestle more political sovereignty within the firm. The character will be introduced later in the season.
Burrows will play a sexy, sophisticated commercial litigator who once had a passionate affair with Alan Shore (James Spader), the chemistry of which still lingers and distracts.
O’Grady, who appeared on several episodes this year, will reprise her role as Judge Gloria Weldon, who is in a heated relationship with Shore.
Auberjonois will return as CP&S senior partner Paul Lewiston and Valley as attorney Brad Chase, who will go up against one of the firm’s lawyers in court.
The show also stars Candice Bergen and William Shatner.
Henson next stars opposite Don Cheadle in “Talk to Me.” Burrows recently appeared in the feature “Reign Over Me.”
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter