Empire began as a series about a hip-hop mogul trying to choose between three sons battling for control
over a multimillion-dollar music company, and quickly became a cultural phenomenon — largely because of the career-redefining performance of Taraji P.
Henson as the fabulous, perpetually fur-clad Cookie (she recently won a Golden Globe for the role). The show also made news when Jussie Smollett (pictured), who plays gay son Jamal, also came out of the closet just as his character did. So expectations were high when the series’ second season premiered in the fall of 2015, and it did not disappoint — offering the drama of part of the family splitting off to found a competing label, with soapy intrigue aplenty. On March 30, Season 2 continues with eight new episodes to resolve the cliffhangers we were left with in December: Will Rhonda’s pregnancy survive her tumble down the stairs? Will Skye Summers (Alicia Keys) continue to redefine Jamal’s sexuality? And can the power lesbian couple played by Marisa Tomei and Naomi Campbell keep Lucious locked out of his company? Stay tuned. fox.com/empire
Last modified: January 17, 2018