SMASH Producer Neil Meron Spills on Season 2 - Jennifer Hudson, Kenny Leon, Sean Hayes and More!

According to TV Guide, while at the premiere of his Lifetime remake of Steel Magnolias, SMASH's executive producer Neil Meron let loose some details about the NBC show's second season, to premiere in January.

"it's fresh and revitalized, but it's still about this universe of characters that we introduced last season," Meron said.

Read the original report here.

Meron revealed that Jennifer Hudson, who is set to appear in at least three episodes, will be "singing a lot" of original songs. Plus, Broadway director Kenny Leon will make a cameo appearance with Hudson in which he offers her a job. Will & Grace's Sean Hayes, who Meron calls "genius", will also guest star in Season 2. 

Daphne Rubin-Vega has just joined the all-star cast for the show's second season as a Broadway publicist, alongside the previously announced Jesse L. Martin, Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus and Newsies' Jeremy Jordan.

Outside the season's many star appearances and new cast members, Meron says the show is "looking at off-Broadway and the concert stage" for performance scenes.

"Smash" is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a Broadway star The series stars Emmy Award winner Debra Messing ("Will & Grace"), Oscar winner Anjelica Huston ("Prizzi's Honor"), Jack Davenport ("Pirates of the Caribbean" films), Tony Award winner Christian Borle ("Peter and the Starcatcher"), Katharine McPhee ("American Idol"), Megan Hilty ("9 to 5: The Musical") and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan ("Newsies").

Pictured: Neil Meron. Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.