Empire is an American musical drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The show revolves around the head of a hip-hop music and entertainment empire, Lucious Lyon (played by Terrence Howard), who learns he has a serious medical condition and must decide which of his three sons will inherit his business. His ex-wife, Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson), also returns from prison and seeks to reclaim her share of the empire, adding to the family drama.
Each son has their own strengths and weaknesses, adding layers to their individual struggles and the family dynamic as a whole. The eldest son, Andre (played by Trai Byers), is the CFO of the company, but struggles with bipolar disorder and is often overlooked by his father. The middle son, Jamal (played by Jussie Smollett), is a talented musician but faces discrimination from his father for being gay. The youngest son, Hakeem (played by Bryshere Y. Gray), is a spoiled rapper who has a tumultuous relationship with both his father and his brothers.
As Lucious fights for his life and tries to keep his business thriving, the family’s internal battles come to the forefront. Along with the family drama, the show also explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power struggles within the music industry. Featuring musical performances and original songs, Empire has become known for its high-energy, emotionally charged storytelling and gripping plot twists.
The series aired on Fox from 2015 to 2020 and received critical acclaim, earning multiple award nominations and wins.