Harry Connick, Jr., has joined the cast of the NBC special Annie Live!  Connick, 53, will play Daddy Warbucks in the TV musical. NBC announced earlier this month that Empire actress Taraji P. Henson will play Miss Hannigan.

Connick confirmed the news in a statement to People: “It’s such a classic show and it’s a show that I’m so familiar with, just from seeing it a million times. And it’s one of those things where you watch it and enjoy it and never really imagine yourself a part of, so when I was asked to play Daddy Warbucks it was kind of surreal because that’s such an iconic role. It wasn’t something I ever really thought about. I was just thrilled that I was asked to do it.”

Annie Live! is based on the Broadway musical, which was itself inspired by the Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie.  Annie Live! will air late this year and will be NBC’s first live musical since Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, which aired in 2018.