NBC’s ‘Smash’ season 2 spoilers: First look at Jennifer Hudson

Is it true that “The Voice” more or less brought Jennifer Hudson into their show this past episode in order to better tie in to the new trailer for “Smash” season 2? Probably, but we have to say that the former “American Idol” star makes a pretty enormous splash in the first trailer that NBC has released for the new season starting up on February 5.

While we don’t know much still about the sort of person that Hudson’s character is, she will be joining the show as a Broadway legend who in some way takes Karen (Katharine McPhee) under her wing. Is she going to be a part of “Bombshell,” or another show happening simultaneously? That is a good question at the moment, since early reports are that there will be two competing shows fighting for attention through much of the season. The Oscar-winner is also going to share significant air time with Ivy (Megan Hilty), who will hopefully be crafted into a more complex character this season rather than just someone who turns from good to evil every couple of episodes.

This trailer is very careful to remind us that in addition to Hudson’s casting, there is plenty else new to the world. We have a new showrunner in Josh Safrin, other new actors including Sean Hayes, and even a potential new love interest for Karen after the exit of lawyer Dev from last season. Broadway will probably be more of a focus than ever this time around, but that is very much a good thing given how much more of the stage world we wanted to see back during season 1.

What do you think about this trailer? We want to hear your thoughts below.