Taraji P. Henson Films Lead Role in Tyler Perry's 'Straw' in Just 4 Days

Published: June 4, 2025

Taraji P. Henson has revealed that she filmed her lead role in Tyler Perry's new Netflix movie 'Straw' in a record-breaking four days, while simultaneously shooting her Peacock true-crime limited series 'Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist'.

Henson, who previously worked with Perry on the 2018 film 'Acrimony', told PEOPLE that she didn't hesitate to join the new movie because she loves "a good challenge".

"[While filming Straw], I was also at the time working on Fight Night," Henson said. "They worked it out with my schedule. I went and shot this for four days and went right back to Fight Night," she added.

Perry, who wrote, produced, and directed the film, said that the whole Straw team came together to ensure that they captured the footage they needed within Henson's short window of time.

"It's a great team that we all know what to do," he told PEOPLE. "Taraji only had four days, so we figured it out in those four days."

Henson, who was drawn to the complex role of Janiyah, a single mother whose world unravels in chaos as her day goes from bad to worse, said that she often gravitates towards characters that "scare the hell out of me".

Janiyah did scare me a lot…," she admitted. "I was drawn to this character because I love giving a voice to the voiceless. I want anybody out there who identifies with Janiyah to know that they're not alone and you are seeing and I see you."

Tyler Perry's 'Straw' premieres globally on Netflix on June 6.