Everyone talks about the fur coats and the "Cookie-isms." When you mention tv series with Taraji P Henson, the mind immediately jumps to Empire. It’s a natural reflex. But honestly? If you only look at the Lyon family dynasty, you’re missing the actual grit that makes Taraji one of the most reliable forces in television. She didn’t just wake up as a mogul. She ground through the procedural trenches for years.
The thing about Taraji is that she plays "strength" differently than most. It’s never just a shield; there’s always a crack in the armor where you can see the desperation or the love or the sheer exhaustion of being a Black woman in America. Whether she's a detective in the high-tech world of Person of Interest or a mother trying to survive the Philadelphia school system in Abbott Elementary, she brings this specific, vibrating energy to the screen.
The Empire Era and the Cookie Phenomenon
Let's get the big one out of the way. Between 2015 and 2020, you couldn't turn on a TV without seeing Cookie Lyon. Taraji didn't just play the role; she inhaled it. Starring opposite Terrence Howard (her old Hustle & Flow partner), she turned a musical drama into a cultural reset.
Cookie was fresh out of a 17-year prison stint, and Taraji played her with a "nothing left to lose" ferocity. She won a Golden Globe for it in 2016. People forget how rare that was—she was only the third Black woman to win in that category. The show was a juggernaut, but Taraji has been vocal lately about the financial reality of those "big" hits. Despite the fame, she’s often fought for better pay, a narrative that’s shadowed much of her recent career.
It’s easy to dismiss Empire as soap-operatic. Maybe it was. But Taraji's performance was grounded in something much more real: the ache of a mother trying to reclaim the time she lost.
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The Procedural Years: Detective Carter and Beyond
Before the fur and the catchphrases, Taraji was the moral compass of Person of Interest. This is arguably her most underrated work. Playing Detective Joss Carter from 2011 to 2013, she had to navigate a world of surveillance and "Pre-Crime" AI.
Her exit from that show still stings for a lot of fans. Spoiler alert for a decade-old show: When Carter was killed off in Season 3, it felt like a betrayal. Why? Because she was the soul of the series. She wasn't just a sidekick to Jim Caviezel; she was the one who kept the show's dark, cynical world from feeling completely hopeless.
But her TV roots go back even further. Look at these credits:
- The Division (2002–2004): She played Inspector Raina Washington. It was an all-female police team on Lifetime. Very early 2000s, but Taraji was already showing that authoritative spark.
- Boston Legal (2007–2008): As Whitney Rome, she went toe-to-toe with James Spader. You don't survive a David E. Kelley show unless you can handle rapid-fire dialogue. She could.
- Eli Stone (2008): A shorter arc, but she stood out as Angela Scott.
She was everywhere. CSI, House, ER. She was the "that actress" of the mid-2000s—the person you saw in one episode and immediately googled because she out-acted the lead.
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The Recent Shift: Abbott Elementary and Fight Night
Lately, Taraji has been playing with her image. Her guest spot on Abbott Elementary as Vanetta Teagues (Janine's flighty, chaotic mother) is a masterclass in comedic timing. She took the "strong mother" trope and flipped it, playing someone who is essentially a giant child. It earned her an Emmy nomination for Guest Actress in 2023. It's proof she doesn't need to be the lead to own the room.
Then there’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (2024). This Peacock miniseries put her back in that gritty, period-piece pocket she excels in. Playing Vivian Thomas, she leans into the 1970s Atlanta aesthetic. It’s high-stakes, it’s stylish, and it reminds you that she’s at her best when the world around her character is falling apart.
Why Taraji Matters for TV SEO and Discovery
If you're searching for tv series with Taraji P Henson, you’re likely looking for that specific mix of charisma and vulnerability. She’s one of the few actors who successfully bridged the gap between the "old" TV world (22-episode procedurals) and the "new" era of prestige streaming.
She’s also become a massive advocate for mental health. Her Facebook Watch series, Peace of Mind with Taraji, wasn't just a talk show; it was a necessary intervention for the Black community. She talked about her own struggles with depression and anxiety, stripping away the "superwoman" persona that Hollywood usually forces on her.
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What’s Next in 2026 and Beyond?
As we move through 2026, the industry is watching Taraji’s next moves closely. She’s currently involved in several high-profile Netflix projects, including the faith-based drama 'Tis So Sweet and Tyler Perry's Straw.
The narrative around her has changed. It’s no longer just about "what show is she on?" It’s about her agency as a producer and her refusal to settle for less than she’s worth.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to see the full range of Taraji P. Henson, don't just rewatch Empire.
- Watch the "The Crossing" episode of Person of Interest to see her dramatic peak.
- Binge Abbott Elementary Season 2 and 4 to see her comedic evolution.
- Check out Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) for one of her most heartbreaking, grounded TV movie performances.
Taraji isn't just a TV star; she's a TV survivor. She’s navigated every trend, every genre, and every "death" of a medium only to come out on top. Whether she's playing a queen or a detective, she’s always, fundamentally, herself.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist:
Look for Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist on Peacock for her most recent dramatic work, or head to Hulu to see her iconic turn as Cookie. If you’re interested in her advocacy, Peace of Mind with Taraji remains a vital resource for understanding the woman behind the roles.