Empire (2015): Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 171 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 171 Ratings

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Empire

Now Playing: Empire

Season Details & Credits

ABC | FOX | Season Premiere Date: January 7, 2015

Summary: After discovering he is ill, rap mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) must decide which of his three sons will inherit his company. This hip-hop family soap from Lee Daniels and Danny Strong (The Butler) also stars Taraji P. Henson and Gabourey Sidibe and features original music from Timbaland.

Creator: Danny Strong and Lee Daniels

Genre(s): Drama, Music

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. Who I Am
Air Date: March 18, 2015
tbd
S1:E11. Die but Once
Air Date: March 18, 2015
tbd
S1:E10. Sins of the Father
Air Date: March 11, 2015

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Molly Eichel

Jan 5, 2015

There’s something soapy and delicious about Empire.... But it’s a double-edged sword: Empire will either continue to be fun and splashy, while staying grounded and engaging, or it will flame out as so many primetime sudsers have before it, becoming too ridiculous for its own good. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jan 12, 2015

Doesn't really matter if hip-hop is your musical genre of choice, because the beat the deliciously entertaining Empire grooves to echoes the more traditional and timeless rhythms of grand soap operas. [5-18 Jan 2015, p.16]

Gail Pennington

Jan 9, 2015

Just when you're smirking at Empire, it reaches out and hooks you. Read full review

Joanne Ostrow

Jan 2, 2015

The series has great potential. The question is whether Empire should stick to being a good family drama in a vibrant contemporary setting with a topical issue woven into the story, or whether it can measure up to the pretensions to great literature. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

Jan 7, 2015

Though the result can be obvious, even cornball, at times, the show--which is smart enough, often enough--works. Read full review

Willa Paskin

Jan 5, 2015

If Lucious and Cookie and Jamal’s dynamics seem unique and complex, other parts of the show are messy and flat.... Generally speaking, the arc of the soap opera is long, and it bends toward insanity. But, one episode in, Empire feels insane in exactly the right measure. Read full review

John Anderson

Jan 2, 2015

Derivative to the point of parody.... [But] despite the general lameness of the show, Ms. Henson is so convincing--and charismatic--you might just keep watching. Read full review

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User Score

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7.0

User Reviews

OVOsound

Mar 6, 2015

Great show! Stellar acting and cast; (T.Howard & T.P. Henson, guest stars -Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, etc.), intriguing plot (especially for Music/Hip-Hop fans). Uplifting, tragic, comedic, suspenseful, action, musical, all rolled into one. I love that it is on Fox, giving Fox a fresh,Great show! Stellar acting and cast; (T.Howard & T.P. Henson, guest stars -Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, etc.), intriguing plot (especially for Music/Hip-Hop fans). Uplifting, tragic, comedic, suspenseful, action, musical, all rolled into one. I love that it is on Fox, giving Fox a fresh, outside their comfort zone show to add to there arsenal or lack of. Music production by Grammy award winning producer/artist Timbaland . Cookie (Henson) nails her role as the anti-hero complemented by protagonist Luscious Lyon. Must watch!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

22Mommie22

Jan 17, 2015

10! Fantastic series! Hooked from the previews. Two thumbs up! Acting is amazing!! Story line is edgy and keeps you engaged from start to finish, If you haven't watched it tune in!

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

lukechristiansc

Jan 9, 2015

I have always been interested to see what Director Lee Daniels has bring to the project, to please us fans and he does it perfectly with Empire. Terence Howard as Lucious Lyon a gangster who thanks music from saving his life, and makes the empire, not to mention that Howard's character is aI have always been interested to see what Director Lee Daniels has bring to the project, to please us fans and he does it perfectly with Empire. Terence Howard as Lucious Lyon a gangster who thanks music from saving his life, and makes the empire, not to mention that Howard's character is a selfish dick with the bling. Also Taraji P Henson is a huge charmer as Cookie an ex-wife who wants to get her company from Lyon. From the team of (Lee Daniels' The Butler) Writer Danny Strong and Director (Daniels) have made this entertainment, drama of Hip- pop a huge puzzling event. Grade A-… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

chillidogg5150

Feb 25, 2015

It's like Scarface ? Hola this guy doesn't know what he's talking bout. It's pretty good, and t.v don't make violence go up, dumb people do. I will continue to watch till the show gets played out or goes of the air but till then consider me a loyal fan.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

slock

Mar 9, 2015

A great ride in an over the top, theatrical, eye & ear candy, type way. Campy but also at times poignant and interesting in the layering & explication of individual character and the pull of family. In my view the show rIdes on Taraji P Henson's , Terence Howard's, Jussie Smollett's andA great ride in an over the top, theatrical, eye & ear candy, type way. Campy but also at times poignant and interesting in the layering & explication of individual character and the pull of family. In my view the show rIdes on Taraji P Henson's , Terence Howard's, Jussie Smollett's and Bryshere Gray's characters with the relationship of these 4 being most interesting. Tarajii Henson is magnetic in every scene. Costumes are great. It sort of has a but of Sopranos meets Dynasty, Dirty sexy Money & even a little Glee thrown in. You can't help but wait for each next song. Really fun.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Marnie71

Oct 23, 2015

When Empire came out of the starting blocks, it was glossy, soapy, dramatic and engaging and showed real promise.. Despite the larger-than-life character of Cookie, all that unfolded was feasible enough within this particular world. But as the season went on, it became farcical andWhen Empire came out of the starting blocks, it was glossy, soapy, dramatic and engaging and showed real promise.. Despite the larger-than-life character of Cookie, all that unfolded was feasible enough within this particular world. But as the season went on, it became farcical and ridiculously over the top. Season 2 is pretty much more of the same and then some; unrealistic plot lines, hyper-theatrical acting and unbelievable characters that I doubt the majority of viewers can relate to or connect with. Cookie is hilarious and a complete one-off and remains entertaining throughout. Entertaining, yes ,Believable? Absolutely not. Personally, I need characters I can relate to or at least envisage coming across. The real thing it has going for it is the music and singing/rapping. Some of the actors are super-talented musical performers and genuinely a treat to watch and listen to.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

moonphaz

Mar 20, 2015

Awful show ... cannot stand Courtney Love or anything she is associated it. I believe she killed Kurt Cobain and it is just wrong that she has gotten away with it. That isn't why I don't like the show. I hated the show when I watched it. The fact that she is in it made it hard for me to evenAwful show ... cannot stand Courtney Love or anything she is associated it. I believe she killed Kurt Cobain and it is just wrong that she has gotten away with it. That isn't why I don't like the show. I hated the show when I watched it. The fact that she is in it made it hard for me to even watch it the times I did, but in all fairness wanted to give it a chance. I watched, I hated it, I hate her, I'm done. I just wish I could give it negative 100.… Expand

Empire (2015): Season 1

Season 1 Episodes

Seasons & Episodes