Empire

2014 • FOX
4.8
51.9K reviews
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Seasons 1-2 episodes (38)

1 Season 1, Episode 1
3/1/15
Season-only
EMPIRE is a powerful new drama that follows LUCIOUS LYON, 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 Season 1, Episode 2
3/8/15
Season-only
Lucious must defend Empire’s IPO launch after controversies arise around one of his artists being involved in a shooting, and Cookie proves to be invaluable by helping Lucious turn a crisis into a triumph. Competition between Lucious and Cookie heats up when Cookie hears of Lucious’s plan to stage a huge performance for Hakeem – but not Jamal. Meanwhile, the police begin to investigate Bunkie’s murder.
3 Season 1, Episode 3
3/15/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 4
3/22/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 5
3/29/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 6
4/5/15
Season-only
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 from the family’s past shows up with a huge surprise.
7 Season 1, Episode 7
4/12/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 8
4/19/15
Season-only
Cookie attempts to bring the Lyon family together and record a legacy album with Lucious, Hakeem and Jamal. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Lucious, Anika and Cookie.
9 Season 1, Episode 9
4/25/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 10
4/25/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 11
5/2/15
Season-only
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 Season 1, Episode 12
5/9/15
Season-only
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.
13 Season 2, Episode 1
9/28/15
Season-only
Season Two picks up three months after the shocking arrest and incarceration of Empire Entertainment head LUCIOUS LYON. Still in federal lockup, Lucious is trying to run Empire from inside, while a headline-grabbing state prosecutor hangs her political ambitions on bringing him down – no matter what it takes. Meanwhile, Cookie stages a star-studded #FreeLucious concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakeem, Anika and the business savvy Mimi Whiteman to finalize the hostile takeover of Empire.
14 Season 2, Episode 2
10/5/15
Season-only
Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it’s off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label. As his first project for the new company, Hakeem decides to form a girl group and woos a hot Latina lead singer, proving that he can be more than just an artist. Meanwhile, Lucious, feeling extra pressure from a bloodthirsty prosecutor, hires a new lawyer and records an epic track from inside jail. In Lucious’ absence, Jamal neglects his music and makes business moves that further his journey toward becoming every bit as ruthless as his father.
15 Season 2, Episode 3
10/12/15
Season-only
Cookie and Anika secretly work together behind Lucious’ back to pull off a surprise performance that catches the eye of Pitbull. Meanwhile, Lucious tracks down Frank Gathers’ daughter, Young Ma, to try to convince her to sign with him at Empire, while Hakeem is hard at work on his girl group, Ménage a Trois. Also, Andre and Rhonda hope their baby-on-the-way will be the key that unlocks Lucious’ cold heart and opens the door for Andre to return to the Empire fold.
16 Season 2, Episode 4
10/19/15
Season-only
The Lyons are still split into warring factions, but they all decide to shoot a music video that will capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal’s duet from Hakeem’s leaked album, a collaboration that will benefit both companies. Meanwhile, Lucious trades his real handcuffs for virtual ones. However, knowing he can’t fully control his company with a federal murder case hanging over his head, he sets out to find Vernon and make him permanently disappear.
17 Season 2, Episode 5
10/27/15
Season-only
Over at Lyon Dynasty, Cookie and Anika work together with Laz to throw “Cookie Lyon’s Block Party,” a big event to launch their company, showcase their artists and premiere a signature Dynasty anthem written by Hakeem. Meanwhile, Jamal gets busy working on his music with Ne-Yo. Also, Hakeem begins a tender romance with the lead singer of his girl group, and Andre takes steps to rid his soul of past sins.
18 Season 2, Episode 6
11/9/15
Season-only
Lucious and Cookie must put aside their differences and work together as parents to protect their family and keep them out of danger. Jamal does his best to get back in the studio and break away from being defined solely as a gay artist, while Hakeem struggles with how to feel and act like a man. Meanwhile, Andre works to shut down a division at Empire, until he discovers a disciple in the midst of Lucious' Gutter Life records.
19 Season 2, Episode 7
11/16/15
Season-only
Lucious begins to strategize the ascension of Empire from record label into global music monolith, so he looks into starting a partnership with Jago (guest star Patrick Mulvey), the founder of a music streaming company. Meanwhile, Andre has to twist his newfound values to achieve a delicate balance between his faith and his career, Hakeem begins to work with Laura to turn her into a star and Cookie sets her sights on having Lyon Dynasty be a part of an epic televised charity music event.
20 Season 2, Episode 8
11/23/15
Season-only
Lucious, eager to assert his power, releases a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Not to be outdone in Lucious’ eyes, Hakeem fires back at Freda with a rap battle challenge that could put Lyon Dynasty’s future in danger. Meanwhile, Cookie gets a special visit from her spitfire sister, Candace, Jamal is working on landing a major sponsorship deal and Anika receives some life changing news.
21 Season 2, Episode 9
11/25/15
Season-only
Cookie and her sister, Candace (guest star Vivica A. Fox), team up with a former prison mate to rescue their sister, Carol. Back at Empire, Jamal and critically acclaimed pop star Skye Summers begin collaborating and soon share a deep connection. Meanwhile, Laz has truly fallen for Cookie, but things get complicated when she finds out the truth about him.
22 Season 2, Episode 10
12/7/15
Season-only
Lucious makes a reckless play for the streaming service that he believes will make him the most powerful man in music, only to learn that the entire business strategy was part of a scheme that might bring Hakeem’s ex, Camilla (guest star Naomi Campbell), back into the picture. Meanwhile, Cookie decides to plan a concert at the prison where she spent 17 years locked away from her family and a tragic “accident” leaves Rhonda in a scary state.
23 Season 2, Episode 11
3/30/16
Season-only
After losing the company he built, Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie has her own way of handling things. Meanwhile, Rhonda, Andre and the rest of the Lyon family come to terms with a horrific, life-changing tragedy that changes their lives as they know it.
24 Season 2, Episode 12
4/6/16
Season-only
With Hakeem acting as Empire’s CEO, Camilla sinks her claws further and further into him. The rest of the Lyon family tries to get him to rejoin their side, but Hakeem has his own plan. Meanwhile, Jamal receives backlash from his fans and Andre and Rhonda’s marriage is tested.
25 Season 2, Episode 13
4/13/16
Season-only
Tensions between Lucious and his sons continue to rise. Back at Lyon Dynasty, Lucious aims to direct his most emotional and honest music video yet and recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for the new single. Meanwhile, on the Mirage a Trois tour, Tiana and Laura begin viciously fighting over the spotlight, forcing Hakeem to mediate between the two divas.
26 Season 2, Episode 14
4/20/16
Season-only
Lucious releases his new music video, as he manipulates and sabotages those around him to regain his CEO position at Empire. Meanwhile, Andre learns more about his grandmother’s mental illness in order to understand his own struggle with bipolar disorder, Anika reveals a big secret to the family and Hakeem leads the big shareholder meeting.
27 Season 2, Episode 15
4/27/16
Season-only
With help from Andre, Lucious hosts a fundraiser, as part of his campaign to prove to the board that he should return as Empire’s CEO. Meanwhile, Hakeem must decide whether he wants to be a father to his and Anika’s child.
28 Season 2, Episode 16
5/4/16
Season-only
A wrench is thrown into Lucious’ deeply personal music video about his mother, when Andre discovers a dark secret. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Jamal are compromised after tempting themselves with new or rekindling, but secretive affairs. Then, Rhonda starts to suspect who her attacker was.
29 Season 2, Episode 17
5/11/16
Season-only
Hakeem feels the pressure of his underwhelming fiancé, Laura, as he struggles to find a place for her both in his family and his career. Cookie finally reveals to Jamal the truth behind what happened to Freda’s father, prompting Jamal to warn Freda of his family’s ulterior motives. Meanwhile, despite his frustration with the family, Jamal makes a sacrifice for Lucious from which it will be hard to recover.
30 Season 2, Episode 18
5/18/16
Season-only
After a life-changing experience, Jamal refuses to make music until his family ends its seemingly endless cycle of violence and fighting. Meanwhile, the Feds are tailing Anika because they want to force her to testify against Lucious. In order to protect her family, Cookie organizes a meeting at Hakeem and Laura’s wedding with various people from her and Lucious’ past.
101 Season 1, Episode 101
12/13/14
Season-only
Catch a first look at EMPIRE, a sexy and powerful new drama about a family dynasty that follows the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.
102 Season 1, Episode 102
12/13/14
Season-only
Go inside the making of EMPIRE with in-depth interviews with creator/director Lee Daniels, creator/writer Danny Strong, Musical Producer Timbaland, stars Terence Howard and Taraji P. Henson and additional cast members all offering insights on how FOX is bringing television’s first hip hop drama to life.
103 Season 1, Episode 103
12/29/14
Season-only
Co-Creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, Producer Brian Grazer, Showrunner Ilene Chaiken and stars Terrence Howard and Taraji Henson come together for a no-holds-barred discussion about EMPIRE. Moderated by Elvis Mitchell from KCRW’s “The Treatment,” the conversations will peel back the layers of the hip-hop music business, where fashion, diversity and self-expression play a big role.
104 Season 1, Episode 104
8/16/15
Season-only
See the full performance of Jamal Lyon’s (Jussie Smollett) hit song “Good Enough”, as performed on the set of EMPIRE.
105 Season 1, Episode 105
8/16/15
Season-only
See the full performance of Hakeem Lyon’s (Bryshere Y. Grey) hit song “Drip Drop”, as performed on the set of EMPIRE.
106 Season 1, Episode 106
8/16/15
Season-only
Featuring legendary hit producer Timbaland, dive into the music with an inside look at creating the original songs, intense performances, and soulful beats of the groundbreaking new series from Lee Daniels.
107 Season 2, Episode 107
9/22/15
Season-only
Everything you need to know from EMPIRE season one to get caught up before the new season premieres!
108 Season 2, Episode 108
8/23/15
Season-only
Executive Producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong and Ilene Chaiken share an inside look at EMPIRE, the hit show that took America by storm. This Special takes a look at EMPIRE’s critical acclaim, ratings success, social media fan-demonium, as well as the show’s impact on the music industry. Learn more from the people who know best how this series turned into what critics have called “A Game Changer “ and where it’s going in season two.

About this show

A sexy and powerful new drama about a family dynasty that follows the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne. EMPIRE airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX

Ratings and reviews

4.8
51.9K reviews
NN N
October 25, 2015
Season 1 of Empire was very interesting and had a cast of great actors with exceptional talent. Although some content was a bit unconventional for my taste. I continued to watch the show because there was an intriguing plot. Unfortunately, there seems to be an agenda of the writer's of this show to push the acceptance of same sex relationship drama (you know the kind of things you have an idea about but you'd rather it be left up to your imagination) in Season 2 and that is a deal breaker for me.
12 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
March 31, 2015
Going off a sample of just a few shows, it was ok. I expected less cliche with this one. The music industry is pretty down right now and the genre this show balances on isn't doing so well. Likable characters you can touch base with. The monologue is hit or miss. I think it's a stretch to see this last for more than 2 seasons based off of the shortcomings of the storyline.
118 people found this review helpful
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Ag Sher
March 7, 2015
Black is The New GREEN in PRIME TIME TV, and FOX even got some! But, this GREEN IS PURE GOLD!!! HIP-HOP Music, money, sex and deceit with pretty people in nice homes, wearing designer clothes and driving luxury vehicles is a formula made to take over the world of all forms of ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA AND ENTERPRISE! LONG may The Lyon Family Reign! BUT, I DID NOT PAY GOOGLE PLAY FOR THIS SEASON JUST TO SEE THEM HAWK THEIR OTHER SHOWS IN COMMERCIAL BITES !!! AND FOR THAT RIDICULOUSNESS??? THREE STARS IS ALL I CAN GRANT YOU! Sorry.
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