EMPIRE: Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX.
Let me just start by saying that the hype for Empire is real, and well-deserved. It’s like a musical wrapped in a soap opera topped in a crime drama , and covered in dysfunctional family drama goodness. It’s juicy, cheesy, and highly-entertaining. That doesn’t mean that Empire does not have good acting or actors. Trai Byers (Andre Lyon), Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon), Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon), and Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) are utterly delightful to watch, especially veteran actors Howard and Henson. I actually became really fond of Kaitlin Doubleday as Andre Lyon’s wife Rhonda, a character that has to have been inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s character portrayal in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
The Empire hype was all over my timeline on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and I’m sure everywhere else. We binge-watched it on the weekends, and looked forward to it! So yes, like everyone else you probably know, we’re very ready for the second season to premiere next month. In the meantime, check out the character photos for season 2 below:
EMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Trai Byers as Andre Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Bryshere Gray as Hakeem Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Grace Gealey as Anika on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Gabourey Sidibe as Becky on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Ta’Rhonda Jones as Porsha on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX. EMPIRE: Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon on EMPIRE. Season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Christopher Fragapane/FOX.
Synopsis:
Season Two will pick up three months after Lucious’ shocking arrest and incarceration at the end of last season. Knowing Lucious won’t be held much longer in prison, Cookie and her allies within the Lyon family make a desperate attempt to seize control of the company. But as the Lyons continue to battle each other, a bigger external threat emerges that could force them to unite.
Guest stars set to appear in Season Two include Chris Rock (“Top Five”), Lenny Kravitz (“Precious”), Adam Rodriguez (“CSI: Miami”), Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys, Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (“The Wrestler”), recording artist Ludacris and global music superstar Pitbull.
What fuckery will the Lyons and crew get up to in the second season?