Vanetta is back! Abbott Elementary midseason finale sneak peek features return of Taraji P. Henson (exclusive) Vanetta is back! By Samantha Highfill :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/SamanthaHighfillauthorphoto0917254112e875604542d49744a27de908d183.jpg) Samantha Highfill Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at , where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television. EW's editorial guidelines December 4, 2025 1:00 p.m. ET Leave a Comment Nothing says holidays quite like family, and for Jeanine Teagues (Quinta Brunson), that means the return of her mother.

Vanetta is back!

Abbott Elementary midseason finale sneak peek features return of Taraji P. Henson (exclusive)

Vanetta is back!

By Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at **, where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television.

EW's editorial guidelines

December 4, 2025 1:00 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Nothing says holidays quite like family, and for Jeanine Teagues (Quinta Brunson), that means the return of her mother.

** has the exclusive promo for *Abbott Elementary*'s upcoming season 5 winter finale, and it features an unexpected face: Taraji P. Henson is set to reprise her role as Vanetta Teagues, Janine's mother.

Quinta Brunson and Taraji P. Henson on 'Abbott Elementary'.

Henson first appeared on the show in season 2, and according to the actress, she requested the role after meeting Brunson, who also created the show. In an episode of *The View*, Henson revealed, "I was a fan. Actually, I requested to be on the show. Quinta and I were competing on Jimmy Fallon's *That's My Jam*, and I was singing her praises and telling her how proud of her I was. I was like, 'Girl, you know, any time you need me, call me.' And she called! I was like, 'Absolutely, I'll do it.'"

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And thus began Janine's complicated relationship with her mother, which has been an ongoing story for the Emmy-winning comedy. Henson showed up again in a season 3 episode before taking a season off. Now, she's back just in time for the winter finale. And given that Janine is in a happy relationship with Gregory (Tyler James Williams), could he be ready to meet mom? "I don't know who could be," Brunson tells * *with a laugh. "But yes, you'll be seeing more of Taraji this season, so that's exciting."

In terms of what to expect from the episode, Brunson previously told EW, "For the Christmas episode, we are celebrating more than one thing on Christmas. Our Christmas episode is going to be a game-changer. A lot's gonna change after this Christmas episode."

For a sneak peek, watch the exclusive promo above.**

*Abbott Elementary* airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.**

*--With reporting by Maureen Lee Lenker*

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW TV"

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Source: TV

Published: December 04, 2025 at 01:57PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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