EMPIRE Gets Early Renewal from Fox

FOX has renewed hit drama series EMPIRE for a second season, it was announced today by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs, FOX Television Group.

In the next all-new episode of EMPIRE, "The Devil Quotes Scripture," airing Wednesday, Jan. 21 (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the Lyons head to Philadelphia for Bunkie's funeral and get a taste of what their life could have been if Lucious (Terrence Howard) hadn't made it big. Then, Lucious promotes Hakeem's (Bryshere Gray) new relationship with hip-hop star Tianna (guest star Serayah), but tensions rise when another woman tries to catch Hakeem's eye. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. ("Jerry Maguire") and music legend Gladys Knight guest-star.

Averaging a 5.3 rating in Nielsen's Most Current measure, EMPIRE has emerged as the No. 1 new series of the season. Following its second episode, it is the only new broadcast drama this season to grow from week one to week two.

From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Precious"), Emmy Award winner Danny Strong ("Game Change," "Lee Daniels' The Butler") and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "24"), comes EMPIRE, a drama about a family dynasty, set within a world of music, glamour, danger and power.

Featuring music by prolific producer Timbaland, the series stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson ("No Good Deed," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button").

Among the series' other featured cast members are Malik Yoba, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, and Kaitlin Doubleday, as well as newcomers Bryshere Gray and Grace Gealey. Additional guest stars include Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe ("American Horror Story," "Precious"), Grammy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Courtney Love ("The People vs. Larry Flynt"), Derek Luke ("The Americans") and Judd Nelson ("The Breakfast Club").

EMPIRE is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century FOX Television. The series is created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The pilot is written by Daniels and Strong. The series is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo. Daniels directed the pilot. "Like" EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @EmpireFOX and join the discussion using #empire. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @EmpireFOX.

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