Fox Renews ‘Empire’ for Season 4

Empire TV Series Cast
Ta’Rhonda Jones, Gabourey Sidibe, Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Serayah McNeil, Trai Byers and Grace Gealey on ‘Empire’ (Photo by Michael Lavine © 2016 Fox Broadcasting Co)

Fox has confirmed Empire will be returning for a fourth season. The network announced its award-winning dramatic series has earned another season and that Empire‘s spring premiere date has been set for Wednesday, March 22nd at 9pm ET/PT. The music-driven series is the top rated broadcast drama among 18-49 year-olds and was the #1 broadcast entertainment program among 18-34 year-olds, teens and young women, according to Fox.

Empire‘s third season has been averaging 16 million viewers, so the announcement of a renewal came as little surprise. The critically acclaimed series was created by Oscar nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award-winner Danny Strong. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken, Francie Calfo and Sanaa Hamri executive produce. Empire stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Bre-Z, Xzibit, and Morocco Omari. Guest stars over the show’s first three seasons have included Mariah Carey, Taye Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Marisa Tomei, Naomi Campbell, Ludacris, Adam Rodriguez, Rosie O’ Donnell, and Andre Royo.


The Plot: Empire is a powerful drama about a family dynasty set within the glamorous and sometimes dangerous world of hip-hop music. The show revolves around the Lyon family and their media company, Empire Entertainment. The founder, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), is the king of hip-hop, but his company and reign are constantly threatened by his family, including his ex-wife, Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson); his sons, Jamal (Jussie Smollett), Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) and Andre (Trai Byers); and a volatile and competitive music industry.

The battle continued in season three for the Soul of Empire. Each member of the Lyon family must cope with the events that were set in motion in the Season Two finale. Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while also clashing with his half-brother, Tariq (Morocco Omari), who is leading a federal task force investigating him. Cookie aims to start over, in pursuit of her own happiness – a series of flashbacks reveal how Loretha Holloway became Cookie Lyon and how Cookie met Lucious. Meanwhile, the Lyon brothers – Andre, Jamal and Hakeem – all are determined to overcome the events of last season and move on, but the choices they face will become a battle for the soul of the Lyon family.