'Empire' Sneak Peek: An Epic Batte, And Cookie's Spitfire Sister Arrives

Taraji P. Henson and guest star Vivica A. Fox. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting
Co. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX

Vivica A. Fox plays Cookie's sister on this week's episode of FOX drama Empire, airing Wednesday, November 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Former As the World Turns star Marisa Tomei continues her run as Mimi Whiteman.

In "My Bad Parts," Lucious, eager to assert his power, releases a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Not to be outdone in Lucious' eyes, Hakeem fires back at Freda with a rap battle challenge that could put Lyon Dynasty's future in danger. Meanwhile, Cookie gets a special visit from her spitfire sister, Candace (Fox), Jamal is working on landing a major sponsorship deal and Anika receives some life changing news.

Watch a sneak peek of the episode below:

'Empire' Sneak Peek: True Love Never

Cookie plans "Cookie's Cookout" after a roll in the hay with Laz.

Cookie tells Laz how he's going to promote Lyon Dynasty on this week's episode of FOX drama Empire, airing Wednesday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Former As the World Turns star Marisa Tomei returns as Mimi Whiteman.

In "True Love Never," Lucious begins to strategize the ascension of Empire from record label into global music monolith, so he looks into starting a partnership with Jago (guest star Patrick Mulvey), the founder of a music streaming company. Meanwhile, Andre has to twist his newfound values to achieve a delicate balance between his faith and his career, Hakeem begins to work with Laura to turn her into a star and Cookie sets her sights on having Lyon Dynasty be a part of an epic televised charity music event.

Watch a sneak peek of the episode below:

'Empire' Sneak Peek: Snatch And Grab

Cookie and Lucious work together to help Hakeem. 

The Lyon cubs are lost on this week's episode of FOX drama Empire, airing Wednesday, November 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Lucious and Cookie must put aside their differences and work together as parents to protect their family and keep them out of danger. Jamal does his best to get back in the studio and break away from being defined solely as a gay artist, while the kidnapped Hakeem struggles with how to feel and act like a man.

Meanwhile, Andre works to shut down a division at Empire, until he discovers a disciple in the midst of Lucious' Gutter Life records.

In the sneak peek video below, Lucious and Cookie arrive at the drop-off location for a quick snatch and grab.

'Empire' Sneak Peek: Rules of the Road

Guest star Charles Malik Whitfield and Trai Byers. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting
Co. Credit: Matt Dinerstein/FOX.

The brothers go head-to-head on tonight's episode of FOX drama Empire, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Over at Lyon Dynasty, Cookie and Anika work together with Laz (guest star Adam Rodriguez) to throw "Cookie Lyon's Block Party," a big event to launch their company, showcase their artists and premiere a signature Dynasty anthem written by Hakeem. Meanwhile, Jamal gets busy working on his music with Ne-Yo (guest star Ne-Yo). Also, Hakeem begins a tender romance with the lead singer of his girl group, and Andre takes steps to rid his soul of past sins.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Empire' Sneak Peek: The FBI Is After Empire

Marisa Tomei as Mimi Whiteman. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co.
Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX

The FBI is after Empire on tonight's episode of FOX drama Empire, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In "Poor Yorick," the Lyons are still split into warring factions, but they all decide to shoot a music video that will capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal's duet from Hakeem's leaked album, a collaboration that will benefit both companies.

Meanwhile, Lucious trades his real handcuffs for virtual ones. However, knowing he can't fully control his company with a federal murder case hanging over his head, he sets out to find Vernon and make him permanently disappear.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Empire' Sneak Peek: Pitbull and Bre-Z Murray Guest Star

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon and guest star Pitbull. ©2015 Fox
Broadcasting Co. Cr: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

Pitbull and Bre-Z Murray guest star on tonight's episode of Empire, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

In "Fires of Heaven," Cookie and Anika secretly work together behind Lucious' back to pull off a surprise performance that catches the eye of Pitbull (guest-starring as himself).

Meanwhile, Lucious tracks down Frank Gathers' daughter, Young Ma (guest star Bre-Z Murray), to try to convince her to sign with him at Empire, while Hakeem is hard at work on his girl group, Ménage a Trois. Also, Andre and Rhonda hope their baby-on-the-way will be the key that unlocks Lucious' cold heart and opens the door for Andre to return to the Empire fold.

"Sometimes you got to pull at those heartstrings to get paid," says Cookie when offering Andre advice.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Empire' Sneak Peek: Ludacris Guest Stars as Officer McKnight

Guest star Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Officer McKnight and Terrence
Howard as Lucious Lyon in Empire. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co.
Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

Ludacris, Becky G, Kelly Rowland, Andre Royo and Veronika Bozeman guest star on tonight's episode of Empire, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

In "Without a Country," Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it's off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label. As his first project for the new company, Hakeem decides to form a girl group and woos a hot Latina lead singer (guest star Becky G), proving that he can be more than just an artist. Meanwhile, Lucious, feeling extra pressure from a bloodthirsty prosecutor, hires a new lawyer (guest star Andre Royo) and records an epic track from inside jail. In Lucious' absence, Jamal neglects his music and makes business moves that further his journey toward becoming every bit as ruthless as his father.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Empire' Season 2 Premieres Tonight Following Debut of 'Rosewood'

Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon and guest star Chris Rock as
Frank Gathers in the “The Devils Are Here” Season Two premiere
episode of Empire. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Chuck Hodes/FOX.

Having taken the TV world by storm in its record-setting first season, Empire enters Season Two as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. From its jaw-dropping storylines to its chart-topping hip-hop soundtrack, Empire instantly gained a legion of die-hard fans, creating a social media frenzy and making “Cookie” a household name. The second season premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX following the series debut of Rosewood. During Rosewood, viewers will get an exclusive scene that gives a special look at what the Lyon Family has been up to this summer.

Starring Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, and featuring music by prolific producers Timbaland, Jim Beanz and Ne-Yo, Empire is from Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels, Emmy Award winner Danny Strong and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer.

Lucious Lyon (Howard) is the king of hip-hop. An immensely talented artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, his reign has been unchallenged for years. But, after battling what he believed to be a terminal disease, Lucious challenged his sons (Jussie Smollett as Jamal, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray as Hakeem, and Trai Byers as Andre) to compete for his throne, a task made all the more complicated by the return of their mother and Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie (Henson), who was released from prison.

Season Two will pick up three months after Lucious’ shocking arrest and incarceration at the end of last season. Knowing Lucious won’t be held much longer in prison, Cookie and her allies within the Lyon family make a desperate attempt to seize control of the company. But as the Lyons continue to battle each other, a bigger external threat emerges that could force them to unite.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Empire' Season 2 Trailer Released; Pitbull, Mariah Carey to Guest Star

Taraji P. Henson earned a Primetime Emmy nomination this year for her
portrayal of Cookie Lyon on Empire.

FOX has released a new promo for its hit primetime soap Empire, which kicks off its second season on Wednesday, September 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It looks like Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) will be locked up, at least for a while, as Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) makes her move to take control of Empire Entertainment.

In Empire guest star news, musician and actor Pitbull will play himself and perform "No Doubt About It" with Jamal (Jussie Smollett) in an episode slated to air this fall. Five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey will also appear in Season 2 but not as herself. The show has yet to reveal the character she'll be playing.

They join a growing list of actors and musicians who will make appearances on Empire, including Chris Rock, Kelly Rowland, Marisa Tomei, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Adam Rodriguez, among others.

Watch the new Empire promo below:

'Empire' Season 2 Poster Released: Welcome Back to the Lyons Den

Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, Empire returns for its second season Wednesday, September 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. A drama about a family dynasty, set within the world of music, glamour, danger and power, Empire shattered ratings records every week in its debut season; spawned hit records “Drip Drop” and “You’re So Beautiful”; and made Cookie Lyon a household name.

FOX has now released a "Welcome back to the Lyons den" poster featuring series stars Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon) and Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon).

Check out the full poster below:

Fox Picks Up 'Empire' and 'Red Band Society' for 2014-15 Season

On the heels of greenlighting the Batman origin series Gotham, Fox has ordered both Lee Daniels' hip-hop drama Empire and the Octavia Spencer-starring Red Band Society to series for the 2014-15 season.

Empire is a family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire and centering on Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), the head of a record label at the center of the series. Taraji P. Henson will play Cookie Lyon, the ex-wife of Lucious, and a total badass who has just been released from prison after serving 17 years for dealing drugs -- money she funneled into Lucious' then-fledgling music empire. Released for good behavior, she now wants what's hers. She's the real force behind his rise to superstardom and champions her son Jamal's (Jussie Smollett) career, but that puts her at odds with her ex, who has an issue with their son's homosexuality.