Jennifer Hudson Signs on for Smash

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First, a Tony nominee. Now, an Oscar winner.

A week after casting Jeremy Jordan for a role on Smash Season 2, the NBC musical has announced another major move: Jennifer Hudson will come on board multiple episodes in 2013 as a longtime Broadway star.

As you might expect, look for Hudson's character of Veronica to impact Ivy and Karen in a major way.

“We’re thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson coming to Smash,” said NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt. “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.”

Like Katharine McPhee, Hudson got her major break on American Idol. She then went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Dreamgirls.

It's quite the coup for Smash, which floundered in the ratings and in the eyes of many critics as its opening season wore on. It has since let three actors go and hired a new showrunner and will return with new episodes in early 2013.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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Smash Quotes

Sam: Ivy's doing the nasty with the Dark Lord, huh?
Dennis: That's what I said.
Karen: Who's the Dark Lord?
Sam: Sauron himself, Derek.

Eileen: If that were a real Degas, what would you pay for it?
Julia: That? ... It is a real Degas.
Eileen: Yeah.

Smash Music

  Song Artist
Song Never Give All the Heart Smash Cast
The National Pastime Smash Cast iTunes
Song Beautiful Smash Cast