Empire
“Their reign. Their rules.”
Creator
Danny Strong, Lee Daniels
30 wins · 106 nominations
Lucious Lyon, a former drug dealer turned hip-hop mogul, is dying, and the fight over who inherits Empire Entertainment turns his three sons and his ex-wife into rivals, allies, and occasional saboteurs of one another. Terrence Howard plays Lucious with ruthless calculation, but it's Taraji P. Henson's Cookie — fresh out of a seventeen-year prison sentence and determined to reclaim her stake — who gives the show its live-wire energy. Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, the series wraps Shakespearean family warfare in glossy music-industry spectacle, staging original songs alongside its scheming. Few network dramas of its era matched its sheer, soapy velocity.
Seasons
6
Episodes
102
Country
United States of America
Status
Ended
Cast
Terrence Howard
Lucious Lyon · 102 eps
Taraji P. Henson
Cookie Lyon · 102 eps
Bryshere Y. Gray
Hakeem Lyon · 102 eps
Trai Byers
Andre Lyon · 102 eps
Ta'Rhonda Jones
Porsha · 99 eps
Gabourey Sidibe
Becky · 98 eps
Serayah
Tiana Brown · 96 eps
Jussie Smollett
Jamal Lyon · 84 eps
Grace Byers
Anika Calhoun · 66 eps
Andre Royo
Thurston 'Thirsty' Rawlings · 60 eps
Nicole Ari Parker
Giselle Sims-Barker · 41 eps
Xzibit
Shyne Johnson · 38 eps
Rhyon Nicole Brown
Maya · 38 eps
Kaitlin Doubleday
Rhonda Lyon · 37 eps
A.Z. Kelsey
Jeff Kingsley · 36 eps
Tasha Smith
Carol Hardaway · 31 eps
Meta Golding
Teri Lyon · 31 eps
Bre-Z
Freda Gatz · 31 eps
Wood Harris
Damon Cross · 28 eps
Mario
Devon · 27 eps
Katlynn Simone
Treasure · 26 eps
Vivica A. Fox
Candace Holloway-Mason · 24 eps
Chet Hanks
Blake Sterling · 24 eps
Taye Diggs
Angelo Dubois · 23 eps
Rumer Willis
Tory Ash · 22 eps
Leslie Uggams
Leah Walker · 21 eps
Morocco Omari
Tariq Cousins · 21 eps
Terrell Carter
Warren Hall · 20 eps
Sierra Aylina McClain
Nessa Parker · 18 eps
Phylicia Rashād
Diana DuBois · 16 eps
Amanda Detmer
Tracy Kingsley · 14 eps
Toby Onwumere
Kai · 14 eps
Pej Vahdat
Kelly Patel · 13 eps
Forest Whitaker
Eddie Barker · 11 eps
Malik Yoba
Vernon Turner · 12 eps
Will Kinnear
Leonard Bernstein · 12 eps
Ajiona Alexus
Young Cookie · 11 eps
Rafael de la Fuente
Michael Sanchez · 11 eps
Tobias Truvillion
Derek Major / D-Major · 11 eps
Skylan Brooks
Quincy · 10 eps
Reviews
IMDb
7.4/10
TMDB
7.1/10
★★★★★★★★★★
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Where to Watch
Streaming
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Fandango At HomeBuy Episode Guide
1
Pilot
Lucious Lyon is the head of a music empire whose reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes when he learns he has a disease and must choose one of his three sons to take over: Andre, Jamal or Hakeem. Complicating matters is their mother and Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie, who emerges from prison to claim her share.
2
The Outspoken King
Lucious has to defend Empire's IPO launch after one of his artists is involved in a shooting; Cookie hears about Lucious' plans for a huge performance for Hakeem, but not Jamal; Bunkie's murder is investigated.
3
The Devil Quotes Scripture
The Lyons head to Philadelphia and get a taste of what their life could have been if Lucious hadn't made it big. Lucious promotes Hakeem's new relationship with hip-hop star Tianna, but tensions rise when another woman tries to catch Hakeem's eye.
4
False Imposition
Lucious attempts to steal a super-hot, chart-topping artist from his rival at Safe House Records. Meanwhile, Jamal struggles to compose original music and Cookie tries to forge a relationship with her estranged son, Hakeem.
5
Dangerous Bonds
Cookie receives an anonymous gift from an admirer that she believes might be a veiled threat from a person from her prison past. Meanwhile, Lucious takes charge of Hakeem's first video shoot.
6
Out, Damned Spot
Vernon is caught in the middle of a very sticky situation. Meanwhile, Jamal is rising to stardom, but his newfound drive and ambition might stir up trouble in his relationships. To make matters worse, a mystery woman (guest star Raven Symone) from the family's past shows up with a huge surprise.
7
Our Dancing Days
Tension mounts between Hakeem and Jamal, as Lucious attempts to brand Empire Entertainment as a tight-knit, “family-run” company. Meanwhile, Cookie and Anika don’t hold anything back when it comes to taking over the company.
8
The Lyon's Roar
It’s time for the Lyon family to come together and record a legacy album with Lucious, Hakeem and Jamal. Cookie and Camilla finally come face-to-face, Andre struggles with some inner demons and Jamal steps into the spotlight with news that surprises everyone.
9
Unto the Breach
It's an all-out war when Cookie uncovers Anika's big backstabbing secret, and Lucious must come face-to-face with his longtime rival, Billy Beretti. As the Lyon family rallies to save Empire Entertainment, all three sons take drastic measures: Jamal gets close with famous artist Delphine, Hakeem works hand-in-hand with Cookie and Andre is pushed way beyond his limits.
10
Sins of the Father
Andre forms a new musical relationship with Michelle, and a woman from Lucious' past, Angie, comes into the picture. Meanwhile, Lucious invites the whole family over to his home. However, everyone arrives with their own agendas. Hakeem, under the influence of Camilla, sets out to show his father that he's a true artist and a good businessman. Then, Cookie prepares to state her own agenda for Empire and for her family, when Olivia arrives.
11
Die But Once
Jamal and Lucious are on their way to forming a music-centered relationship, but once again, Lucious has a secret that's about to change everything.
12
Who I Am
Hakeem decides to flirt with the enemy, while trying to figure out what the best move is for his career. Meanwhile, Cookie is cooking up a plan of her own.
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From the same creator: Danny Strong
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