Yesterday’s episode of Raven’s Home brought back nostalgic memories with the return of Tanya Baxter, a reprised role of Raven’s mother, played by T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh (In Living Color, Cosby). This marks the first time Keymáh’s character has made an appearance since the third season of That’s So Raven in 2005. Keymáh left midway through the show’s run to care for her grandmother, so her character was sent off to London for law school, according to TV Line.
ET first broke the return of Keymáh’s character earlier this year on June 21st. Keymáh had a lot to say about her return:
“It is so exciting. I can’t even believe it. I didn’t learn till years later that people noticed that I was gone. Then it’s like over the years, ‘Where is she? Where is she?’ And when Rondell [Sheridan, who plays Victor,] did a guest spot, I was like, ‘Whoa, I see the dad. Where’s the mom?’ I’m just thrilled for me and for my fans that finally, finally I get to play a character that I created 20 years ago.”
In the closer of the fifth season of Raven’s Home, Tanya Baxter makes her surprise appearance from London for Victor’s, played by Rondell Sheridan (Cory in the House, Cousin Skeeter), 60th birthday party. In this episode, Raven, played by Raven-Symoné (Cheetah Girls, The Cosby Show), has a vision of her father telling her mother, “I can’t live like this anymore,” to which Raven’s mind wanders to: “No one dumps my mama, not even my daddy!”
Raven, unsurprisingly, misinterpreted her vision. Victor told Tanya, “We’ve been living apart for years. I thought I was fine with that, but I saw you today and I realized I’m not.” Instead of ending things with Tanya, however, Victor announced that he wants to move to London so they can finally be together, according to TV Line.
Sheridan’s character will be expected back for the sixth season of Raven’s Home, as announced at Disney’s D23 Expo in September.
Via an ET Exclusive with Deidre Behar, Raven-Symoné was asked about the chances of Tanya Baxter showing up again on Raven’s Home. Her response was:
“T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh is such an amazing comedian. I learned so much from her when we did the show in the beginning. We definitely have to keep our fingers crossed.”
Raven’s Home airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.