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| Empire (2015 TV series) | |
|---|---|
| Show name | Empire |
| Caption | Promotional poster |
| Genre | Musical drama |
| Creator | Lee Daniels, Danny Strong |
| Starring | Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, Bryshere Y. Gray, Grace Byers, Malik Yoba, Gabourey Sidibe |
| Composer | Timbaland, Raphael Saadiq |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Num episodes | 102 |
| Executive producer | Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken |
| Location | Chicago, New York City, Atlanta |
| Runtime | 42–45 minutes |
| Company | 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television, Lee Daniels Entertainment |
| Network | Fox |
| First aired | January 7, 2015 |
| Last aired | April 21, 2020 |
Empire (2015 TV series) is an American musical drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong that premiered on Fox in January 2015. The series follows the Lyon family and the hip hop music and entertainment company Empire Entertainment as they battle for control amid personal and industry conflicts. It featured original music produced by artists such as Timbaland, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg and achieved high ratings, awards recognition, and cultural influence during its run.
The series centers on founder and CEO Lucious Lyon, a former rapper turned music mogul, who is diagnosed with ALS and must choose a successor from among his family while contending with rival executives, record labels, and criminal elements. Storylines interweave family drama involving matriarch Cookie Lyon, sons Jamal, Hakeem, and Andre, and corporate intrigue with characters from competing companies like Universal Music Group-style labels, talent agencies modeled on CAA, and producers echoing collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Eminem. Narrative arcs reference real-world phenomena such as streaming disputes reminiscent of Spotify controversies, chart battles paralleling the Billboard 200, and music award campaigns akin to Grammy Awards races.
Principal cast includes Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Trai Byers as Andre Lyon, Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Grace Byers as Anika Calhoun, Malik Yoba as Vernon Turner, and Gabourey Sidibe in supporting roles. Recurring and guest stars encompassed performers and public figures such as Marisa Tomei, Nia Long, Estelle, Nas, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Rita Ora, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, and industry executives similar to figures at Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. The ensemble cast also intersected with actors from series and films like The Wire, Moonlight, Empire Records, and Beloved via guest appearances and crossover talent.
Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, the series was developed at 20th Century Fox Television with executive producers including Daniels, Strong, and Ilene Chaiken. Music supervision involved producers such as Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and Raphael Saadiq, and songwriting contributions echoed collaborations with artists signed to labels like Def Jam Recordings and Interscope Records. Filming took place on location in Chicago and on soundstages in New York City and Atlanta, with production design influenced by landmarks such as Willis Tower and neighborhoods like Harlem. Promotional partnerships and distribution used platforms including Fox Broadcasting Company, syndication deals with Hulu, and international licensing through networks comparable to BBC and Canal+.
The series ran for six seasons with a total of 102 episodes, featuring season premieres and finales that generated social media engagement across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Episodes often combined serialized family drama with standalone performances, charting arcs that mirrored industry cycles like single releases climbing the Billboard Hot 100 and album rollouts targeting the Billboard 200. Notable episodes featured original songs released as singles that entered digital marketplaces like iTunes and streaming services including Apple Music and Spotify.
Upon debut, the series achieved strong overnight ratings for Fox Broadcasting Company and became a cultural phenomenon, drawing comparisons in critical discourse to series such as Dynasty for its melodrama and The Sopranos for patriarchal crime-family dynamics. Critical reception was mixed to positive, with praise for performances by Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard and criticism directed at plot contrivances; reviews appeared in outlets like The New York Times, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. The show received multiple award nominations and wins from organizations including the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.
The series encountered controversies including publicized disputes involving cast members and legal actions such as lawsuits alleging contract breaches and wrongful termination, echoing litigation seen in entertainment industry cases filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California and other jurisdictions. Controversies involved on-set allegations, public statements tied to social movements like Black Lives Matter, and external incidents impacting production schedules analogous to industry-wide shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Empire influenced television portrayals of the music industry, inspiring programming decisions at networks such as Fox Broadcasting Company, ABC, and NBC and contributing to renewed interest in music-driven drama series similar to Smash and Glee. The series boosted careers of cast members into award-winning trajectories involving collaborations with institutions like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and appearances at events including the Cannes Film Festival and the BET Awards. Its integration of original music affected streaming charts at Billboard and digital sales on platforms such as iTunes and Apple Music, while its cultural narratives contributed to discussions in outlets like The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and Vulture.
Category:2015 American television series debuts Category:Fox Broadcasting Company original programming Category:Musical television series