Empire

Empire is an American music drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong that ran on Fox from January 7, 2015, to April 21, 2020. A joint production by Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television, the show was filmed in Chicago but set in New York. The series centers on the fictional hip hop and entertainment company Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control of it. It stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, and Trai Byers as members of the Lyon family, along with a supporting cast including Grace Byers, Kaitlin Doubleday, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, and Vivica A. Fox.

The series premiere attracted nearly 10 million viewers, while the first-season finale was watched by 17 million. Its first season received positive reviews from critics, who praised its acting, particularly Henson's, its direction, soundtrack, writing, costumes, editing, and the overall tone of the show, with many describing it as a "fresh take on a musical." Subsequent seasons also received positive reviews, with its second season being the most well received.

During its run, it was one of the most-watched shows on Fox. On April 30, 2019, Fox renewed the show for a sixth and final season, which would be the first and only season without Smollett, who was confirmed not to return after he was charged with filing a false police report in an incident in which he staged an assault and hate crime. The season debuted on September 24, 2019, and the series concluded on April 21, 2020.

A spin-off centered on Taraji P. Henson's character, Cookie Lyon, was set to launch in 2020. However, Fox passed on the pilot, and it was reportedly shopped to other networks. [edit]

Empire opens with Lucious Lyon, a former street hustler who built Empire Entertainment into a multi-million dollar hip hop empire, learning he has ALS, a degenerative disease that will eventually rob him of his mobility and speech. Faced with his mortality, he must choose a successor among his three sons to take over the company. The succession drama forms the backbone of the entire series, with each son representing a different vision for the company's future.

The three Lyon sons are Andre, the eldest, a brilliant Harvard-educated businessman who struggles with bipolar disorder and craves his father's approval; Jamal, the middle son, a gifted singer-songwriter who is openly gay and has been rejected by his homophobic father, yet possesses the most raw musical talent; and Hakeem, the youngest, a spoiled, arrogant young rapper with immense commercial potential but questionable maturity. The dynamic among the brothers, rivalry, jealousy, loyalty, and love, drives much of the series' conflict.

Complicating matters is Lucious's ex-wife, Cookie Lyon, who has just been released from prison after serving 17 years on a drug charge, a sentence she took to protect Lucious and their family's empire. Cookie returns with a fiery determination to reclaim her share of the company and her place in her sons' lives, immediately positioning herself as a formidable rival to Lucious and a fierce protector of her children. Her relationship with Lucious, alternately combative, passionate, and tender, is the emotional heart of the show.

The series also features a large supporting cast, including Lucious's second wife Anika Calhoun, a savvy businesswoman who becomes a recurring antagonist; Becky Williams, Cookie's loyal assistant; and various artists, executives, and family members who populate the Empire Entertainment world.

Season 1 establishes the family drama and the succession battle while introducing Lucious's health crisis and Cookie's re-entry into the family business. Season 2 expands the scope, introducing new rivalries, corporate threats, and the ongoing power struggle between Lucious and Cookie. Season 3 deepens the family dysfunction, with the sons' ambitions clashing and external enemies targeting the company. Season 4 explores the aftermath of major betrayals and shifting alliances. Season 5 sees the family facing new challenges as the company evolves. Season 6, the final season, focuses on the family's legacy and the future of Empire Entertainment, with the Lyon family navigating personal and professional crises while determining who will ultimately control the empire.[edit]