Empire (season 2)

Empire (season 2)

Promotional poster
Starring
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 18
Release
Original network Fox
Original release September 23, 2015 (2015-09-23) – May 18, 2016 (2016-05-18)

The second season of the American television drama series Empire premiered on September 23, 2015, in the United States on Fox.[1] The season was ordered on January 17, 2015.[2] The show is produced by 20th Century Fox Television, in association with Imagine Entertainment, Lee Daniels Entertainment, Danny Strong Productions and Little Chicken Inc. The showrunners for this season are Ilene Chaiken, Danny Strong and Lee Daniels. The season aired on Wednesday at 9:00 pm, the same slot as the previous season.

Premise

The show centers around a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control of the company.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring

Special guest stars

Production

Empire was renewed for a second season on January 17, 2015, by Fox after only two episodes had aired.[2] It was announced to contain 18 episodes, split into two parts, with ten episodes in the fall, and the remaining eight episodes after the Christmas break, beginning in January.[4] Filming began on June 23, 2015, as confirmed by Fox, in addition to Chris Rock being spotted on set.[5]

Casting

The second season will have ten roles receiving star billing, with seven of them returning from the previous season, in addition to three characters upgraded from the first season. Terrence Howard will portray Lucious Lyon, a former drug dealer turned hip hop mogul and the CEO of Empire Entertainment who now is imprisoned. Taraji P. Henson will play Cookie Lyon, Lucious' outspoken ex-wife and mother of his three sons, who served 17 years in prison, and have now made a hostile takeover for Empire Entertainment with Anika, Andre and Hakeem. Lucious and Cookie have three sons: Andre Lyon, the eldest son of the Lyon family and CFO of Empire Entertainment who will be played by Trai Byers, and will deal with his wife killing Uncle Vernon in the previous season finale. Jussie Smollett will play Jamal Lyon, the middle son and "black sheep" of the Lyon family, a talented, gay singer-songwriter who has been given control over Empire from his father, Lucious. Bryshere Y. Gray will portray Hakeem Lyon, the fame-obsessed youngest son and Lucious' favorite child, who is a hip hop star on the rise and has been included in the hostile takeover with his mother, Anika and Andre.

Other series regulars returning are Grace Gealey, who will reprise her character Anika Calhoun, former head of Empire Entertainment A&R and Lucious' ex fiancée who has worked together with Cookie replace the acting board of directors at Empire. Kaitlin Doubleday will play Rhonda Lyon, Andre's power-hungry and money-obsessed wife who must deal with killing Uncle Vernon in order to protect Andre. In addition, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Gabourey Sidibe and Serayah McNeill were upgraded to series regulars after being billed as recurring characters during season one. They will be playing their respective roles as Porsha Taylor, personal assistant to Cookie, Becky Williams, executive assistant to Lucious at Empire Entertainment and Tiana Brown, a R&B-pop artist signed to Empire Entertainment, respectively.[6][7]

Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz and Alicia Keys were originally slated to guest star as themselves,[8] but it was later revealed that Rock would play Frank Gathers. Adam Rodriguez will recur as Laz Delgado, a smooth promoter and a potential love interest for Cookie.[9] On June 11, 2015, it was announced that the producers were casting the new breakout role of Betty Barz, a "moody, outspoken" teenage rapper who will first appear in the season premiere. Description of the character was that she was an African-American, "unapologetically butch," and something of a hometown hero in her "Brownsville-Never-Ran-Never-Will, Brooklyn" neighborhood.[10]

On June 26, 2015, it was announced that Tyra Ferrell was cast as a lawyer who will be in contact with the Lyon family.[11] It was announced on July 2, 2015, that Marisa Tomei was cast as Mimi Whiteman, a demanding venture capitalist who becomes embroiled in Lyon family drama.[12] Kelly Rowland was reported on July 6, 2015, to have joined the cast as Lucious Lyon's mother in flashbacks.[13] On July 17, 2015, TVLine reported that Andre Royo will join the cast as Thirsty Rawlings, a sharp lawyer who will defend Lucious.[14] Bryshere Y. Gray was the one to announce that Becky G will join the cast in a guest-starring role in the second season as Valentina.[15] It was announced on July 14, 2015, that Hakeem will have a new love interest whose name is Laura, a serious talented vocalist.[15]

On August 3, 2015, it was revealed that Adam Busch has signed on for a multi-episode recurring arc, playing Chase One, a sexy, gifted, avant-garde gay artist who's doing a photo shoot, and is infatuated with his male star,[16] while Jamila Velazquez, Raquel Castro and newcomer Yani Marin will play unconfirmed recurring roles.[15] It was announced on August 5, 2015, that Mariah Carey will guest star in one of the upcoming episodes in a top-secret role.[17] One day later, on August 6, 2015, it was also confirmed that Pitbull would appear as himself.[18] Al Sharpton and Andre Leon Talley will appear as themselves, and will appear in the season premiere as they will show their support for the embattled music CEO at an epic, outdoor "Free Lucious" concert.[19] On August 21, it was announced that Mo McRae was cast as J-Poppa, a love interest for Gabourey Sidibe's character Becky, which will appear in three episodes.[20] On September 14, 2015, it was announced Rafael de La Fuente would return portraying the role of Michael in at least four episodes of the season.[21] On November 5, Entertainment Weekly reported that Annie Ilonzeh had been cast in the role of TV reporter Harper Scott and would appear in the second half of the season.[22]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProduction
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
131"The Devils Are Here"Lee DanielsDanny Strong & Ilene ChaikenSeptember 23, 2015 (2015-09-23)2AXP0116.18[23]
Three months after the arrest and incarceration of Empire Entertainment CEO, Lucious Lyon, Cookie arranges a star-studded #FreeLucious concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakeem and Anika to get an potential investor, Mimi Whiteman (Marisa Tomei), to finalize the hostile takeover of Empire. While in federal lockup, Lucious tries to run Empire from inside, with the help of Jamal, who is getting closer to his ex-boyfriend Michael. Frank Gathers (Chris Rock) threatens Cookie after she turned him to the police, but Lucious successfully bribes Gathers's bodyguards to kill Gathers. The hostile takeover fails when Jamal reveals to Cookie, Andre, Hakeem and Anika that Mimi instead is working with him and Lucious. With his new position, Jamal's relationship to his family is diminished, and is destroyed after the failed hostile takeover.
142"Without a Country"Dee ReesCarlito RodriguezSeptember 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)2AXP0213.74[24]
After Jamal chased them out of Empire, Cookie, Andre, Hakeem and Anika decide to start their own record label named Lyon Dynasty, but Cookie kicks out Anika after they disagree on how to lead it. Hakeem leaks his new album online rather than allowing Empire to release it, and decides to cast a girl group for Lyon Dynasty to prove that he can be more than just an artist. He becomes romantically involved with his hot Latina lead singer Valentina Galindo (Becky G). Rhonda asks Jamal to take Andre back. Lucious has some altercations with Prison Officer McKnight (Ludacris), but his new lawyer Thirsty Rawlings helps him record a track in prison, and also wins the bail hearing against Roxanne Ford.
153"Fires of Heaven"Craig BrewerAttica LockeOctober 7, 2015 (2015-10-07)2AXP0313.10[25]
Much to the dismay of prosecuting attorney Roxanne Ford (Tyra Ferrell), Lucious is freed on bail, but he is not allowed to enter Empire Entertainment. Lucious tries to reunite his family at a dinner, but Cookie does not forgive him and wants to pursue Lyon Dynasty. Lucious tries to ally with Anika, but she also wants to take revenge on him, so she teams up with Cookie and helps her crash a party for Lucious at Club Leviticus, where Cookie presents a performance by Hakeem, which is a huge success for Lyon Dynasty. Hakeem is producing his girl group Mirage à Trois and sleeping with lead singer Valentina. When the girls keep fighting, Cookie takes over the training. Lucious wants to sign Frank's daughter Freda (Bre-Z) for Empire to get her out of the ghetto, but fails. Andre tells his parents that Rhonda is pregnant, but Lucious won’t have him back at Empire. Lucious remembers his bipolar mother Leah Walker (Kelly Rowland). Lucious buys Apex Radio to control the music outlet and signs Valentina to Empire.
164"Poor Yorick"Danny StrongDanny StrongOctober 14, 2015 (2015-10-14)2AXP0412.22[26]
Under Roxanne's lead, the FBI raids Empire, Lucious’ house, and Lyon Dynasty. Thirsty wants everyone to stick together until Vernon is found. Lucious and Mimi want the whole family to produce a video from Hakeem's leaked album, but Hakeem starts a fight with Jamal. Andre still wants to return to Empire and offers to clear the legal situation for Lucious. He wants to produce Vernon's body, but Rhonda and Andre are caught by Lucious and Thirsty when they dig for the body. Lucious is relieved and takes Andre back. Roxanne has Cookie arrested and Cookie uses the situation to thwart Lucious’ Apex deal. Anika works for her return to Dynasty, but is rejected by Cookie.
175"Be True"Kevin BrayWendy Calhoun & Janeika JamesOctober 21, 2015 (2015-10-21)2AXP0512.28[27]
As Vernon is discovered dead, all charges against Lucious are dropped and he returns to Empire. He makes Andre president of his resurrected old label, Gutter Life Records, and signs Freda for it. At Dynasty, Cookie is planning a concert with Laz. Hakeem finds a new lead singer in Laura. Tiana is robbed and a Spanish speaking gang tries to extort money from Dynasty. Also, Thirsty hires someone to steal the master tapes from Dynasty, but Cookie catches them. Jamal is working with Ne-Yo on his album and plans a tour with him. Jamal's painter gets between him and Michael. For his upcoming baptism, Andre confesses to his family what he did wrong in the past. Finally, Hakeem is abducted.
186"A High Hope for a Low Heaven"Mario Van PeeblesRobert MunicNovember 4, 2015 (2015-11-04)2AXP0611.68[28]
Hakeem escapes after the ransom drop and runs straight into Anika's arms. Traumatized by concussion symptoms, he tries to perform, but is met with difficulties. Later, when Cookie wants to hire his abductors for Lyon Dynasty's security, Hakeem draws a gun on them, but Cookie saves the situation. Jamal seeks help from Jamieson to avoid being marketed only as a gay artist. Andre tries to promote Christian hip hop in Gutterlife, but is called back by Lucious, who favors Freda even after she loses her temper and physically attacks a heckler in the crowd. Hakeem finds his confidence at the Big Apple Jam with Mirage a Trois and leaves Anika disappointed by the door. Cookie finally sleeps with Laz, but it is revealed he rolls with the same crew that abducted Hakeem.
197"True Love Never"Sylvain WhiteIngrid EscajedaNovember 11, 2015 (2015-11-11)2AXP0711.20[29]
Laz goes to Cookie's bed to talk her into hiring Big Heavy for protection when she plans her Cookie's Cookout jam. Sir Huey invites Jamal for one of his popular living room sessions, but turns down Lucious’ request to invite Freda. Andre is sent to clear a gang injunction against Freda and blackmails deputy Mayor Alvarez. Lucious and Mimi want to merge Empire with Jago's streaming business Swiftstream. Cookie wants Hakeem to remove Laura as the lead singer of Mirage à Trois, but Hakeem keeps working on her performance. In the end, Lucious finds inspiration for his song with Freda in a terrible childhood memory.
208"My Bad Parts"Sanaa HamriMalcolm SpellmanNovember 18, 2015 (2015-11-18)2AXP0811.34[30]
Jago increases his price for Swiftstream, but Mimi insists on pulling through with the deal against Andre and Thirsty's wishes. Anika considers suicide, but discovers that she is pregnant with Hakeem's baby. When he tells her that he is in love with Laura, she decides not to tell him and abducts Laura. Jamal is working on a commercial gig with both his parents without them knowing. When they find out, they bet whose label will get his album. Freda starts a battle with Hakeem, which is really a fight pitting Empire against Dynasty. When they finally meet face to face, Hakeem drops the name Lyon. Cookie's sister Candace turns up about their other sister Carol.
219"Sinned Against"Paul McCraneEric HaywoodNovember 25, 2015 (2015-11-25)2AXP099.21[31]
Cookie and Candace look for their drug-abusing sister Carol on the streets of Philadelphia. Anika is working on her plan to return to Hakeem. Lucious wants to become a major player in the streaming business. He makes a final offer to Hakeem to return to Empire and take the Lyon name back, which Hakeem turns down. Cookie also refuses to sign over her rights to their most valuable songs. In the end, Lucious decides to proceed without them at a great cost. Laz calls off his deal with the mobsters. When he wants to change the venue of the cookout concert, Lucious reveals that he found out that Laz is a member of the gang that abducted Hakeem. Lucious brings in Skye Summers (Alicia Keys) to work with Jamal and they grow close.
2210"Et Tu, Brute?"Sanaa HamriRadha BlankDecember 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)2AXP1011.81[32]
The nominations for the American Sound Awards are announced. Lucious is happy to see Jamal in love with Skye, but Jamal tells him he is still gay. Cookie visits her old prison for a benefit concert and she learns that her old cellmate Jezzy got a life sentence. When Lucious announces his new streaming service, Mimi presents her wife, Camilla Marks-Whiteman. Camilla tells Hakeem the reason for her sudden disappearance and that she wants him back so they can reign Empire together. Mimi calls a board vote to remove Lucious as CEO, and, with Hakeem's vote, Lucious is removed by the board. Mimi names Camilla as her proxy while she is away for cancer treatment. Tension rises when both Jamal and Lucious are nominated for song of the year. The same night, Rhonda is severely injured when she is pushed down the stairs by an unknown assailant in her and Andre's new house.
2311"Death Will Have His Day"Danny StrongDanny StrongMarch 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)2AXP1112.46[33]
After the takeover vote, Lucious, Thirsty, and Andre go to the CEO's office to discuss their next move. Crying and distraught, Cookie confronts Hakeem. She attacks him, demanding he take his vote back. Rhonda, lying in a pool of blood, prays to God to save her baby. She throws her broken mobile phone against the door, thereby setting the alarm off and alerting the police. Now in charge, Camilla tries to get Lucious removed from the building, but they are interrupted by news about Rhonda. The family rushes to the hospital to rally around Rhonda and Andre. Rhonda tells Andre that she doesn't believe there is a God after the loss of their baby despite her prayers. Cookie and Lucious plot together to destroy Camilla from the inside. Camilla uses Empire to release a clothing line. Cookie tells Camilla that Hakeem is contracted to Lyon Dynasty and that she would need to buy the company to get him. Lucious has men from prison "visit" board members, convincing them to withdraw their bids for CEO. Hakeem puts himself forward as CEO. Jamison visits Jamal, unhappy about his relationship with a woman (Skye Summers). As CEO, Hakeem agrees to give Lyon Dynasty autonomy within Empire and appoints Cookie as Empire's head of A&R. Lucious goes to work on his music at Lyon Dynasty's offices. Hakeem pledges himself to Laura and she gives him her virginity. Lucious tells Hakeem that he shot Bunky and that he did it for Empire. He gives Hakeem a gun and tells him that, if he doesn't kill Lucious then and there, he'll come after him.
2412"A Rose by Any Other Name"Michael EnglerIlene ChaikenApril 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)2AXP1211.34[34]
Jamison tells Jamal that Lucious was the one who told him about his hookup with Skye. Jamal tells him that Lucious was trying to sabotage his ASA nomination. Camilla tells Hakeem that Mimi is leaving her Empire shares to her when she dies. Cookie tries to plan Tiana's tour, but Andre tells her that Camilla won't approve the budget. Cookie tells Tiana and she threatens to leave the company. Rhonda starts work at Camilla's fashion house and spies on her for the family. Cookie suggests to Camilla that Tiana should have Mirage a Trois (and therefore Laura) as the opening act on her tour. Camilla agrees to push the tour through as it will get rid Hakeem of Laura for months. Jamal performs, accusing Lucious of being 'inauthentic' and revealing that Lucious isn't his real name. Rhonda and Andre speak to a pastor and Andre accuses Rhonda of cheating. Rhonda is concerned that his paranoia means he's about to have another bipolar break and urges the pastor to get Andre to see a doctor. Hakeem agrees to help the family get Camilla out. He sleeps with her and gets her to reveal that she was only using Mimi. It's then revealed that he recorded the whole thing for Mimi to see what Camilla really thinks. Hakeem and Jamal show their support for Andre by writing him a song. Lucious visits Camilla, who has put something in Mimi's drink to kill her. He reveals that it was Hakeem that sent Mimi the tape. He threatens her with a gun and encourages her to drink the same poison she put in Mimi's drink. He leaves as she drinks it.
2513"The Tameness of a Wolf"Paris BarclayAttica Locke & Joshua AllenApril 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)2AXP1310.11[35]
A wake is held for Camilla. Hakeem announces that the fashion line will continue with Rhonda as Creative Director. Andre tells Rhonda he's sorry for accusing her of cheating and that his new medication is working. Lucious says Hakeem killed Camilla. Cookie tells the family that her first birthday since leaving prison is coming up and she wants them all there. Lucious plans his new music video with Cookie. He reveals how he chose his name (previously Dwight Walker). Mirage a Trois overruns their opening set and Tiana confronts Laura. Hakeem and Jamal head to a poor neighbourhood looking for Freda. They perform for and with people on the street. Jamal asks Freda to collaborate, but she turns him down, saying Lucious is like a father to her. Hakeem tries to smooth things over between Tiana and Laura. Freda gets upset with Lucious when she finds out that he's cut her section from the song. She goes to Jamal to work with him. Lucious reveals elements of his past, including his mother's abuse, to Cookie. She encourages him to tell his whole story in the video. Hakeem performs with Laura and Tiana on tour. Hakeem later proposes to Laura. The family gets together for Cookie's birthday. She shows them Lucious' video and it causes an argument between Andre and his father. Rhonda turns to Anika to vent her feelings. She briefly moves in with her. Cookie finds out that Frank Gathers is Freda's father.
2614"Time Shall Unfold"Cherien DabisAyanna Floyd DavisApril 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)2AXP149.56[36]
Lucious releases his new music video, while doing everything he can to regain his position as CEO of Empire. Andre digs deeper and learns more about his grandmother's mental illness so he can try to understand his own. Meanwhile, Anika reveals that she is pregnant with Hakeem's baby to the Lyon-family, and Hakeem leads the big shareholder meeting.
2715"More Than Kin"Sanaa HamriEric Haywood & Malcolm SpellmanApril 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)2AXP1510.03[37]
To try and convince the board of directors that he is fit to be CEO of Empire, Lucious hosts a fundraiser with Andre. Hakeem struggles with the decision about whether to be apart of his child's life or not. He also reveals the pregnancy to Laura, which leads her to end their engagement. Meanwhile, Cookie tries to fix her relationship with Anika for sake of the baby. After Cookie announces that the entire Lyon-family will be performing at the ASA awards, the board of directors promotes both Lucious and Cookie to co-CEO of Empire.
2816"The Lyon Who Cried Wolf"Millicent SheltonJoshua AllenMay 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)2AXP169.39[38]
After Andre disovers a dark secret about his grandmother, Lucious' new music video takes a darker spin. Both Lucious and Andre clashes about Andre's decision to release his grandmother from the psychiatric ward. Meanwhile, Jamal begins a relationship with one of the judges at the ASA awards, but discovers that the judge have not and won't come out as homosexual. Rhonda begins to suspect that her accident down the stairs wasn't an accident, and deduces that Anika was the one who pushed her.
2917"Rise by Sin"Paul McCraneAyanna Floyd Davis & Jamie RosengardMay 11, 2016 (2016-05-11)2AXP179.81[39]
Hakeem feels the pressure of his underwhelming fiancé, Laura, as he struggles to find a place for her both in his family and his career. Jamal learns the truth about what happened to Freda's father from Cookie, prompting Jamal to warn Freda about Lucious's actions and ulterior motives. Rhonda confronts Anika about her accident, and if it was Anika who pushed her. At the ASA awards, Freda tries to shoot Lucious as revenge for him killing her father, but Jamal is shot in accident instead and is rushed to the hospital.
3018"Past Is Prologue"Sanaa HamriLee Daniels & Ilene ChaikenMay 18, 2016 (2016-05-18)2AXP1810.88[40]
After having a near-death experience, Jamal demands to stop making music until his family is done hurting each other. The police tracks Anika in order to convince her to testify against Lucious. At Hakeem and Laura's wedding, Shyne creates a fight, leading to Laura deciding to not be apart of Hakeem and his family. In order of Anika not testifying, Lucious and Anika gets married. After the ceremony, Rhonda confronts Anika about her accident, resulting to a fight and one of them falls from the balcony with Andre watching and screaming in horror.

Reception

Critical response

Early reviews for the second season of Empire indicate positive reviews. On the aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, the season earned a 95% rating based on 39 reviews.[41] It received a 77 out of 100 on the review aggregate website Metacritic based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[42]

Live + SD ratings

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Episode Air date Time slot (EST) Rating/Share (18–49) Viewers (m) 18–49 Rank Viewership rank Drama rank
13 1 "The Devils Are Here" September 23, 2015 Wednesdays
9:00 p.m.		 6.7/20[23] 16.18[23] 2[43] 5[43] 1[43]
14 2 "Without a Country" September 30, 2015 5.5/17[24] 13.74[24] 3[44] 5[44] 1[44]
15 3 "Fires of Heaven" October 7, 2015 5.1/15[25] 13.10[25] 2[45] 7[45] 1[45]
16 4 "Poor Yorick" October 14, 2015 4.7/14[26] 12.22[26] 3[46] 7[46] 1[46]
17 5 "Be True" October 21, 2015 4.8/15[27] 12.28[27] 3[47] 8[47] 1[47]
18 6 "A High Hope For a Low Heaven" November 4, 2015 4.6/14[28] 11.68[28] 4[48] 11[48] 1[48]
19 7 "True Love Never" November 11, 2015 4.2/13[29] 11.20[29] 3[49] 9[49] 1[49]
20 8 "My Bad Parts" November 18, 2015 4.4/14[30] 11.34[30] 3[50] 7[50] 1[50]
21 9 "Sinned Against" November 25, 2015 3.2/10[31] 9.21[31] 6[51] 14[51] 1[51]
22 10 "Et Tu, Brute?" December 2, 2015 4.5/14[32] 11.81[32] 4[52] 6[52] 1[52]
23 11 "Death Will Have His Day" March 30, 2016 4.8/15[33] 12.46[33] 1[53] 2[53] 1[53]
24 12 "A Rose by Any Other Name" April 6, 2016 4.3/14[34] 11.34[34] 1[54] 8[54] 1[54]
25 13 "The Tameness of a Wolf" April 13, 2016 3.8/12[35] 10.11[35] N/A N/A N/A
26 14 "Time Shall Unfold" April 20, 2016 3.7/12[36] 9.56[36] N/A N/A N/A
27 15 "More Than Kin" April 27, 2016 3.8/12[37] 10.03[37] N/A N/A N/A
28 16 "The Lyon Who Cried Wolf" May 4, 2016 3.6/12[38] 9.39[38] N/A N/A N/A
29 17 "Rise by Sin" May 11, 2016 3.7/12[39] 9.81[39] N/A N/A N/A
30 18 "Past Is Prologue" May 18, 2016 4.1/13[40] 10.88[40] N/A N/A N/A

Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Episode Air date Time slot (EST) 18–49 rating
increase		 Viewers
(millions) increase 		Total 18-49 Total viewers
(millions)		 Ref
13 1 "The Devils Are Here" September 23, 2015 Wednesdays
9:00 p.m.		 2.7 5.93 9.4 22.11 [55]
14 2 "Without a Country" September 30, 2015 2.7 5.52 8.2 19.27 [56]
15 3 "Fires of Heaven" October 7, 2015 2.3 5.14 7.4 18.24 [57]
16 4 "Poor Yorick" October 14, 2015 2.4 5.15 7.1 17.37 [58]
17 5 "Be True" October 21, 2015 2.4 5.07 7.2 17.35 [59]
18 6 "A High Hope For a Low Heaven" November 4, 2015 2.4 4.96 7.0 16.64 [60]
19 7 "True Love Never" November 11, 2015 2.2 4.60 6.4 15.80 [61]
20 8 "My Bad Parts" November 18, 2015 2.1 4.71 6.5 16.05 [62]
21 9 "Sinned Against" November 25, 2015 2.6 N/A 5.8 N/A [63]
22 10 "Et Tu, Brute?" December 2, 2015 2.1 4.62 6.6 16.44 [64]
23 11 "Death Will Have His Day" March 30, 2016 1.7 4.35 6.5 16.75 [65]
24 12 "A Rose by Any Other Name" April 6, 2016 2.0 4.40 6.3 15.74 [66]
25 13 "The Tameness of a Wolf" April 13, 2016 1.9 3.96 5.7 14.07 [67]
26 14 "Time Shall Unfold" April 20, 2016 2.0 4.16 5.7 13.71 [68]
27 15 "More Than Kin" April 27, 2016 1.9 3.92 5.7 13.95 [69]
28 16 "The Lyon Who Cried Wolf" May 4, 2016 1.8 3.92 5.4 13.31 [70]
29 17 "Rise by Sin" May 11, 2016 2.1 4.41 5.8 14.22 [71]
30 18 "Past Is Prologue" May 18, 2016 1.9 4.09 6.0 14.97 [72]

References

  1. ↑ Slezak, Michael (May 29, 2015). "Empire Sets Season 2 Premiere Date". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (January 17, 2015). "'Empire,' 'Gotham,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Renewed at Fox". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Lee Daniels Says Naomi Campbell Will Return for 'Empire' Season 2 (Video)". TheWrap.com. May 5, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ Lynch, Jason (August 7, 2015). "Here's How Empire Will Try to Top Itself in Season 2 More episodes, bigger guest stars and spinoff plans". Adweek. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  5. ↑ "In the words of Lucious: It's game time bitches! Production is officially underway on Empire season 2!". Facebook. June 23, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  6. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (April 20, 2015). "Empire Promotes Pair to Series Regular". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ Roots, Kimberly (August 26, 2015). "Empire Promotes Serayah for Season 2". TVLine.com. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  8. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (May 11, 2015). "'Empire' Upped to 18 Episodes; Books Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  9. ↑ Slezak, Michael (June 2, 2015). "Empire Season 2: Adam Rodriguez to Recur — and Woo Cookie?". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  10. ↑ Slezak, Michael (June 11, 2015). "Empire Season 2: Female Teen Rapper Could Be CEO Jamal's Next Big Thing". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  11. ↑ Denise Petski (June 26, 2015). "Tyra Ferrell Cast In Fox's 'Empire' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  12. ↑ Michael Ausiello (July 2, 2015). "Empire Signs Marisa Tomei to Play Lesbian Billionaire in Season 2". TVLine.com. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ "(EMP-202) "Without a Country"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  14. ↑ Michael Ausiello (July 17, 2015). "Empire Season 2: Wire Vet Andre Royo to Recur as Lucious' [Spoiler]". TVLine.com. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 Jenah Paclibar (August 3, 2015). "Empire season 2 spoilers: Becky G, Racquel Castro and Jamila Velazquez join star-studded cast". Vinereport.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ Michael Slezak (August 3, 2015). "Tyra Ferrell Cast In Fox's 'Empire' - Deadline". TVLine.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  17. ↑ Iannucci, Rebecca (August 5, 2015). "TVLine Items: Nicolle Wallace Nixes View Role, Mariah on Empire and More". TVLine. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  18. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (August 6, 2015). "Pitbull to Guest Star & Perform on 'Empire' Season 2". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  19. ↑ Stack, Tim (August 13, 2015). "Empire exclusive: Al Sharpton and Andre Leon Talley to appear in season 2 premiere". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  20. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (August 21, 2015). "'Empire' Casts Gabourey Sidibe's Love Interest for Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  21. ↑ Michael Slezak. "'Empire' Season 2: Rafael de la Fuente Returning — Michael-Jamal Romance - TVLine". TVLine.
  22. ↑ Stack, Tim (November 5, 2015). "Empire exclusive: Charlie's Angels actress joins Fox hit". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 Kondolojy, Amanda (September 24, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Survivor', 'Modern Family' & 'Law and Order: SVU' Adjusted Up; 'Nashville' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 Dixon, Dani (October 1, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'Survivor', 'Modern Family' & 'Rosewood' Adjusted Up; 'Nashville' & 'Code Black' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  25. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 8, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire,' 'SVU' and others adjusted up, 'Arrow' holds, 'Nashville' adjusted down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 15, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire,' 'Modern Family' and 'Arrow' adjusted up, 'Nashville' adjusted down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  27. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 30, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Rosewood' adjusted up, 'Empire' and everything else hold". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 5, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Arrow' adjusts up, 'Criminal Minds' rises but still at series low". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 12, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Black-ish' and 'Code Black' adjust down". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 19, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Arrow,' 'Rosewood,' 'Survivor' and 'The Middle' adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  31. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 30, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' adjusts up, 'Code Black' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  32. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (December 3, 2015). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Arrow,' 'Empire,' and 'Criminal Minds' adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  33. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (March 31, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' adjusts up, 'Survivor' and 'Beyond Borders' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  34. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 7, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' and 'Modern Family' adjust up, 'Nashville' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  35. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 14, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'The Goldbergs' adjusts up, 'Black-ish' and 'Nashville' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  36. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 21, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' adjusts up, 'Heartbeat' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  37. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 28, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'The Middle' and 'Empire' adjust up, 'Nashville' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  38. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (May 5, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: Wednesday final ratings: 'Chicago PD' and 'Heartbeat' adjust up, 'Nashville' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  39. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (May 12, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' and 'The Goldbergs' adjust up, 'Black-ish' and 'Nashville' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  40. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (May 19, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire,' 'Goldbergs,' & 'SVU' adjust up, 'Arrow' & 'Supernatural' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  41. ↑ "EMPIRE: SEASON 2". Rotten Tomatoes. September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Reviews for Empire, season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive (CBS Corporation). Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  43. 1 2 3 Dixon, Dani (September 30, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Sunday Night Football Leads Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers for the Week Ending September 27, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  44. 1 2 3 Dixon, Dani (October 8, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Sunday Night Football Leads in 18-49 and Viewers for Sept. 28-Oct.4, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  45. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (13 October 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' leads in 18-49 and viewers for Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  46. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 20, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Empire' and 'Thursday Night Football' trade spots, 'SNF' on top for Oct. 12-18". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  47. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 27, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' tops 18-49 and viewers for Oct. 19-25". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  48. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 10, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' leads, 'Empire' and 'NCIS' top scripted shows for Nov. 2-8". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  49. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 17, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' leads, 'Empire' tops scripted shows for Nov. 9-15". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  50. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 24, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: NFL and 'Empire' on top again for Nov. 16-22". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  51. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (December 2, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25, Nov. 23-29: NFL dominates Thanksgiving week". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  52. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (December 8, 2015). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: Football takes Top 3 spots, plus 'Empire' fall finale, 'The Wiz Live'". TV but the Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  53. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 5, 2016). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Empire' reclaims No. 1 ranking for March 28-April 3". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  54. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (April 12, 2016). "Broadcast weekly Top 25: 'Empire' leads demo for April 4–10, 'NCIS' tops in viewers". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  55. ↑ Porter, Rick (11 October 2015). "Premiere week Live +7 ratings: 'Blindspot,' 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' score biggest gains". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  56. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 19, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 2: 'The Blacklist' premiere joins 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' atop the charts". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  57. ↑ Rick, Porter (October 26, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 3: 'Quantico' more than doubles, 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' score biggest gains". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  58. ↑ Rick, Porter (November 2, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 4: 'Jane the Virgin' premiere doubles, 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' top charts for Oct. 12-18". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  59. ↑ Porter, Rick (November 9, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 5: 'Empire' and 'Blindspot' have biggest toal gains, 5 shows double". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  60. ↑ Porter, Rick (November 23, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 7: 'Elementary' is still a strong DVR show". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  61. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 1, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 8: 'Empire,' 'Big Bang Theory' and 'Quantico' top charts for Nov. 9-15". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  62. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 7, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 9: 'Big Bang Theory' makes the biggest gains". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  63. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 14, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 10: 'Blindspot' is officially* the biggest gainer in Thanksgiving week". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  64. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 21, 2015). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings, week 11: 'Empire' fall finale on top, 'Vampire Diaries' leads percentage gains". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  65. ↑ Porter, Rick (April 18, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Empire' lead the week of March 28-April 3". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  66. ↑ Porter, Rick (April 25, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' stay on top for April 4–10". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  67. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 2, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' have biggest gains, 4 shows double". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  68. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 9, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Big Bang Theory' lead for April 18–24, 5 shows double". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  69. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 17, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' lead for April 25-May 1". TV By The Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  70. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 23, 2016). "'Big Bang Theory' tops total gains, 'Vampire Diaries' and 9 others double in 18-49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  71. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 31, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' finale and 'Empire' share lead for May 9–15". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  72. ↑ Porter, Ricky (June 6, 2016). "Broadcast Live +7 ratings: 'Empire' and 'Blacklist' finales lead the week of May 16–22". TV By The Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
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