Taraji P. Henson Jokes She's Got Her MaleFight NightCostars 'Wrapped Around My Finger': 'I Know These Guys'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Terrence Howard, Kevin Hart, Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson and Samuel L. Jackson attend Peacock’s “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” World Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 04, 2024 in New York City.Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

It’s no secret the cast of Peacock’s new drama,Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, is very male-dominated. But that’s not an issue for leading ladyTaraji P. Henson, who stars oppositeKevin Hart,Don Cheadle,Terrence HowardandSamuel L. Jackson.

During a visit to the show’s set in May, Henson spoke to PEOPLE and other outlets about navigating the male-heavy cast and holding her own against them.

“I know these guys. They all pushovers. I got them wrapped around my finger,” Henson, who plays Vivian Thomas on the series, said jokingly. “No, I had an out-of-body experience one day because I sat back and was like, ‘Damn, you’ve been working.'”

Leading up toFight Night, Henson, 53, had gotten the opportunity to work alongside her male costars before. “To know that Don and I, our first job together, we were what, ’70s? We did a span of time in the ’60s to the ’80s,” she said, noting that filming alongside Cheadle, 59, again on their new 1970s-set Peacock show “brought back memories forTalk to Me,” referencing their 2007 film.

“And then, one of our favorite movies that really didn’t get to see the light of day because it was just mishandled. But anyway, it’s a cult classic,” she continued. “And then, of course, Terrence with theHustle & Flow, and then again withEmpire. And Kevin Hart, I feel like me and Kevin have kind of been doing, well, we did a film long ago.”

Henson then jokingly added, “See, I don’t have problems with them. They’re actually afraid of me.”

(L-R) Kevin Hart as Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams and Taraji P. Henson as Vivian Thomas on Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.Parrish Lewis/PEACOCK

Parrish Lewis/PEACOCK

Also getting in on the joke on the male cast’s fear of the powerhouse actress and businesswoman, Cheadle said he’s “glad somebody brought that up.”

“A lot of dudes in it, but it ain’t male domination,” he joked with PEOPLE and other outlets.

All jokes aside, Henson has had a great experience working with the men ofFight Night. “They’re just all great. I mean, it’s just beautiful to see how much we’ve all grown in this industry and to see where we are,” she added. “It’s just really full circle.”

In the crime drama, Henson’s character Vivian Thomas is a businesswoman and a mistress to Hart’s character Chicken Man.

Taraji P. Henson as Vivian Thomas on Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.Parrish Lewis/PEACOCK

“I’m a hustler, myself,” she added. “I mean, I literally flipped $700 with my son on my hip. That’s all I had in my pocket when I moved to L.A. I did it.”

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Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heistpremieres Sept. 5 on Peacock.

source: people.com