Following the June announcement that Jennifer Hudson will be joining the cast of NBC's musical drama Smash, in a multi-episode arc for next season, comes news that Sheryl Lee Ralph has been cast to play her mother on the series, Vulture learned earlier today.

J-Hud will play Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star whose presence directly influences the lives of Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty).

"Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt.

As for what kind of character Sheryl Lee Ralph will play as her mother, no word on that yet, but I assume there'll be some singing involved. Ralph began her career on the stage and was nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls – one connection both ladies have.

Ralph's most recent employment has been with the Cartoon Network, providing the voice for Amanda Waller, in an episode of the animated series Young Justice. 

Today's casting news should be a good look for her.