Empire (2015 TV series)

*Empire*
Empire
Genre	Music drama
Created by	Lee Daniels; Danny Strong;
Starring	Terrence Howard; Taraji P. Henson; Bryshere Y. Gray; Jussie Smollett; Trai Byers; Grace Byers; Malik Yoba; Tasha Smith; Kaitlin Doubleday; Gabourey Sidibe; Ta'Rhonda Jones; Serayah; Morocco Omari; Xzibit; Bre-Z; Rumer Willis; Terrell Carter; Andre Royo; Nicole Ari Parker; Chet Hanks; Rhyon Nicole Brown; A. Z. Kelsey; Vivica A. Fox; Meta Golding; Mario; Katlynn Simone; Wood Harris;
Composers	Fil Eisler (score); Rodney Jerkins, Ester Dean, Jim Beanz, et al (songs);
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	102 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Danny Strong; Brian Grazer; Robert Munic; Francie Calfo; Ilene Chaiken; Sanaa Hamri; Lee Daniels; Dennis Hammer; Brent Mahoney;
Producers	Attica Locke; Malcolm Spellman; Loucas George; Dianne Houston;
Production locations	Chicago, Illinois; New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cinematography	Andrew Dunn; Paul M. Sommers;
Editors	Joe Leonard; Zack Arnold; Raúl Dávalos; Natalie A. Boschan; Matt Barber;
Running time	42 minutes
Production companies	Imagine Television; Lee Daniels Entertainment; Danny Strong Productions; Little Chicken Inc.; (2015–2018); (seasons 1–4); 20th Television;
Original release
Network	Fox
Release	January 7, 2015 –; April 21, 2020

Empire is an American music drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong that ran on Fox from January 7, 2015, to April 21, 2020. A joint production by Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television. Although it was filmed in Chicago, the show is set in New York. The series centers on the fictional hip hop music and entertainment company Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control of it. It stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett and Trai Byers as members of the Lyon Family, along with a supporting cast including Grace Byers, Kaitlin Doubleday, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Malik Yoba and Vivica A. Fox.

The series premiere attracted nearly 10 million viewers while the first-season finale was watched by 17 million viewers. Its first season received positive reviews from critics, who praised its acting, particularly Henson's, its direction, soundtrack, writing, costumes, editing and the overall tone of the show, with many critics describing it as a "fresh take on a musical". Subsequent seasons also received positive reviews, with its second season being the most well received.

During its run, it was one of the most-watched television shows on Fox. On April 30, 2019, Fox renewed the show for the sixth and final season, which would be the first & only season without Smollett, who was confirmed to not be returning after he was charged with filing a false police report in an incident in which he staged an assault and hate crime. The season debuted on September 24, 2019, and the series concluded on April 21, 2020.

A spin-off of the series, centered around Taraji P. Henson's character, Cookie Lyon, was set to launch in 2020. However, Fox passed on the pilot, and it was reportedly shopped to other networks.