Allison Janney cast as Charlotte Phelan in Hollywood adaptation of “The Help”

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 02:  Actress Allison Janney attends the Casting Society of America's 25th Artios Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on November 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The fabulous Allison Janney (a.k.a CJ Cregg) has been cast in the film adaptation of the NY Times Bestseller The Help! She plays Charlotte Phelan, the insufferable mother of the main character Skeeter Phelan. Basically the character is a prissy, racist, cold southern mother mainly concerned with keeping up appearances and marrying her smart-but-awkward daughter up in society.

Her characters are usually a bit more warmhearted so it will be great to see her really ramp up the b!tch.

The movie is called The Maids, and is directed by Tate Taylor. It’s due out in 2011.

Just to make your day here’s Janney as press secretary C.J. Cregg on The West Wing performing “The Jackel”: