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Season 2 – Empire

Play trailer Poster for Season 2 – Empire Sep 2015 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 252 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Hip-hop artist and CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon, has always ruled unchallenged, but a medical diagnosis predicts he will be incapacitated in three years, which prompts the sharks to circle. Without further damaging his family, he must decide which of his three sons will take over. His favorite, young Hakeem, is a gifted musician but values fame over hard work. Middle son, Jamal, is talented and shy but gay -- embarrassing to Lyon. The oldest, Andre, is business-minded but lacks charisma. The reappearance of Cookie, his ex-wife, complicates things; she says he owes her for taking the fall for the drug-running that financed his early career.
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Empire — Season 2

Empire — Season 2

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Critics Consensus

With masterfully melodramatic writing and gloriously glam performances, Empire is not backing down on the soapy spectacle in its second season.

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Critics Reviews

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Eric Deggans NPR 11/26/2019
The second season isn't the phenomenon of the first. But no other series on network TV this year has better proven the power of diversity. Go to Full Review Judy Berman Flavorwire 09/21/2017
Much like its centerpiece, Cookie, this is a show that knows its strengths and flaunts them. Go to Full Review Richard Vine Guardian 10/07/2015
Empire was dubbed the "hip-hop Dynasty", which isn't far off; but it owes just as much to more recent mono-titled nighttime soaps such as Revenge or Scandal. In other words, perfect American TV. Go to Full Review Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval New York Amsterdam News 08/21/2018
[Strong's] structure injects the drama with something more, and the new season music absolutely is moving this series into the legend category. Go to Full Review Pilot Viruet Flavorwire 06/07/2016
There are still the twists and turns, the gasp-worthy tweetable moments, and the songs made of pure fire. Go to Full Review Jocelyn W TV Equals 09/28/2015
Overall, I really enjoyed the season 2 premiere of Empire, although I am going to try to forget that the gorilla scene ever happened. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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10/01/2017 Never have a seen such s poorly written piece of trash that panders to the lowest common denominator. The plot is spoon fed and predictable, and it perpetuates stereotypes that most of us do not aspire to. Not all black folks are like this people, and your kids shouldn’t look up to these type of nonsense characters. I love Terrence Howard and Taraji, this show is no better than here comes honey boo boo. These rolls are beneath Terrence and taraji, they deserve so much better. See more 05/22/2017 Empire's glossy melodramatic flair has worn out its welcome, at least for myself. Taraji Hensen, while a capable actress, is exhausting to watch and near-impossible to like as Cookie Lyon and each of the male leads act like a child half their respective ages. Add that to the producer's insistence on trying to keep up some gang elements in their portrayals, as well as an unfortunate step back to the quality of this season's soundtrack, and Empire S2 is hard to recommend as anything besides a guilty pleasure. See more 04/05/2017 After a strong and shocking start,Empire waste its talented cast and made it another boring soap opera.It lost energy by wasting cliffhangers and wasting entire episodes with boring sub plots and honestly forcing some cast members to become useless. See more 09/18/2016 Even better than the previous season. The tagline MUSIC FAMILY POWER was really visible to the eyes of the viewers. The characters of Lucius, Cookie, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem are connected but the individuality of each can stand alone without the other. And amazing performance for Taraji. A well-deserve defeat of Viola. Two thumbs up. See more 07/25/2016 I couldn't stop watching!!!! I loved it???? See more 05/20/2016 ummmm..... this was a disaster. A big disaster and it is nearly impossible to fix now. I will keep watching, but wow what a disaster. Cookie keeps on making this interesting though i am still so frustrated. I really have no idea what to give this so i will give my undecisive 2.5/5. The writers need to stop turning this into a bad soap (which it is headed for) and make this the intense and addictive show it almost was in season 1. See more Read all reviews
Empire — Season 2

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Terrence Howard

Lucious Lyon

Taraji P. Henson

Cookie Lyon

Jussie Smollett

Jamal Lyon

Bryshere Y. Gray

Hakeem Lyon

Trai Byers

Andre Lyon

Grace Byers

Anika Calhoun

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 23, 2015 The Devils Are Here Three months after his arrest, Lucious tries to run Empire Entertainment while in federal lockup; Cookie stages a star-studded concert in support of Lucious while Andre, Hakeem, Anika and Mimi Whiteman (Marisa Tomei) attempt a hostile takeover. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 30, 2015 Without a Country Cookie tries to start a small record label with her cohorts, but conflicting visions cause problems; Hakeem woos an attractive singer; Lucious hires a new lawyer and records a track in jail. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 7, 2015 Fires of Heaven Cookie and Anika arrange a surprise performance that catches Pitbull's attention; Lucious tries to persuade Frank Gathers' daughter to sign with him; Andre and Rhonda hope their news will win Lucious' favor. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 14, 2015 Poor Yorick Despite their feud, the Lyons decide to collaborate on a project that will benefit both companies; Lucious wants to make Vernon disappear. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 21, 2015 Be True Cookie and Anika work with Laz to throw an event to launch their company, showcase their artists, and premiere a song written by Hakeem; Jamal works on his music with Ne-Yo; Hakeem begins a relationship. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 4, 2015 A High Hope for a Low Heaven Cookie and Lucious have to work together to protect their children; Jamal wants to get back into the studio; Andre discovers a disciple. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 11, 2015 True Love Never Lucious considers a partnership with Jago (Patrick Mulvey), the founder of a streaming music company; Andre must achieve a delicate balance between his new values and his career; Hakeem tries to turn Laura into a star. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 18, 2015 My Bad Parts Lucious releases a rap by Freda, which causes Hakeem to issue a rap-battle challenge; Cookie's sister (Vivica A. Fox) visits; Jamal tries to land a big sponsorship deal; Anika receives life-altering news. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 25, 2015 Sinned Against A former prison mate (Rosie O'Donnell) helps Cookie and her sister, Candace (Vivica A. Fox); a deep connection forms when Jamal works with a critically acclaimed pop star (Alicia Keys); Cookie makes a discovery about Laz (Adam Rodriguez). Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 2, 2015 Et Tu, Brute? Lucious makes a reckless move that could jeopardize everything; Cookie plans a concert at a prison. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 30, 2016 Death Will Have His Day Lucious declares he will do anything to regain his power, but Cookie has her own ideas; a major tragedy changes the lives of the Lyon family. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 6, 2016 A Rose by Any Other Name Camilla sinks her claws into Hakeem, the acting Empire CEO, while the rest of the Lyon family members try to get him back on their side; Jamal gets backlash from his fans; Rhonda and Andre's marriage is tested. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 13, 2016 The Tameness of a Wolf Tensions rise between Lucious and his sons; Lucious recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for a new music video; Tiana and Laura fight to be spotlighted during the Mirage a Trois tour. Details Episode 14 Aired Apr 20, 2016 Time Shall Unfold Lucious releases his video and tries to maneuver his way back into the CEO position at Empire; Andre learns about his grandmother's mental illness as a way to better understand his own struggle; Anika makes a revelation. Details Episode 15 Aired Apr 27, 2016 More Than Kin Lucious holds a fundraiser as part of a campaign to prove he should return as Empire's CEO; Hakeem considers whether or not to be a father to Anika's child. Details Episode 16 Aired May 4, 2016 The Lyon Who Cried Wolf The discovery of a dark secret throws a wrench into Lucious' deeply personal music video about his mother; secret affairs compromise Hakeem and Jamal; Rhonda thinks she knows the identity of her attacker. Details Episode 17 Aired May 11, 2016 Rise by Sin Hakeem struggles to find a place for his fiancé, Laura, in his career and family; Cookie reveals the truth about Freda's father to Jamal; Jamal makes a sacrifice for Lucious. Details Episode 18 Aired May 18, 2016 Past Is Prologue In an effort to end the cycle violence, Jamal refuses to make music until his family makes peace; the Feds want Anika to testify against Lucious; Cookie calls a meeting at Hakeem and Laura's wedding. Details

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Empire — Season 2

Empire Empire Empire Empire View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-14 (V|D|L|S)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 23, 2015