Taraji P. Henson is reuniting with one of the writers from Empire, this time taking on a role behind the camera as well.
The Oscar-nominated actress will star in and serve as an executive producer on Whiskey Matriarch, an upcoming drama currently in development at Amazon. The project marks another collaboration with Attica Locke, who was previously part of the writing and producing teams behind the Fox series that turned Henson’s Cookie Lyon into a household television character.
According to Deadline, Amazon secured the project following a competitive bidding process after it was initially developed at Universal Television. Although the storyline is still being kept under wraps, the production brings together creative talents behind some of the most notable Black-led dramas and comedies of the last two decades.
Locke will be working alongside her sister, Tembi Locke, who is also attached to the project as a writer and executive producer. The two previously co-created Netflix’s From Scratch, a romantic drama starring Zoe Saldaña and based on Tembi’s memoir. The sisters are also serving as co-showrunners for Peacock’s forthcoming adaptation of Kennedy Ryan’s novel, Before I Let Go.
Alesia Dangerfield, known for her work on Paramount+’s revival of The Game, developed Whiskey Matriarch and will take on writing and executive producing duties.
Another notable figure has also joined the production.
Malcolm D. Lee, the director behind The Best Man franchise, Girls Trip, and Night School, will direct and executive produce the series. He is also collaborating with the Locke sisters on Before I Let Go.
The project is being produced by Blackmaled Productions, Henson’s TPH Entertainment, and Third Road Production. Dominique Telson, Michael Scott Allen, and Jamila Jordan are also on board as executive producers.
For Henson, the Amazon drama represents another move into television production after years of building a successful career as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses.
Her performance as Cookie Lyon, alongside Terrence Howard’s Lucious Lyon, helped make Empire a major television hit throughout its six-season run between 2015 and 2020. With Whiskey Matriarch, she’s reuniting with someone from the show’s creative team while taking on responsibilities both in front of and behind the camera.
The news comes after Henson recently reunited with Tyler Perry for Netflix’s Why Did I Get Married Again?, which welcomed back several familiar faces from the franchise, including Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Jill Scott, Lamman Rucker, Sharon Leal, and Richard T. Jones.
Henson’s working relationship with Perry dates back almost 20 years, with previous collaborations including The Family That Preys, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Acrimony, and Straw.
She is also gearing up for her appearance in Netflix’s Give Me Some Sugah, directed by Smith, as her production company continues expanding its portfolio.
In October 2025, TPH Entertainment landed a first-look television deal with Fox Entertainment Studios and a two-picture agreement with Netflix. The company also produced Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been, which received the People’s Choice Documentary Award at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
Henson also made her Broadway debut this year in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, starring alongside Cedric the Entertainer.
