The lovely and legendary Phylicia Rashad has been cast in the third season of FOX's hit series Empire. The Cosby Show actress joins the show’s growing slate of high-profile guest appearances; which over the past two seasons have included Mariah Carey, French Montana, Kid Cudi and Birdman.

Rashad will re-emerge on prime time television as Diana Dubois, an affluent member of one of New York’s oldest and most influential African-American families. She plays the wealthy, on-screen mother of an ambitious New York City councilman, Angelo Dubois, played by Taye Diggs.

Mrs. Dubois, a matriarch of the family, has her sights set on establishing a position in “higher office." Like a prestigious mother with power and influence, she will stop at nothing to groom her son and influence his politic and business endeavors. Needless to say, Mrs. Dubois’s relationship with Cookie, (Taraji P. Henson) should be an interesting contrast. The remaining Lyon family headed by Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) will experience some class-dividing matters that test the strength of their family-- and their business.

Outside of acting, Rashad has been keeping busy with family while embracing her directorial role. She directed August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, a play which depicts racism and exploitation within the music industry. Set in the 1920’s the play is inspired by the real-life story of the legendary blues singer, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey.

Get your popcorn ready! It’s official. One of television’s favorite moms (of all time) returns to TV in Empire airing on FOX September 21 at 9 p.m.

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