Empire

Lee Daniels Teases Potential EMPIRE Spin-Off: A Prequel On Young Cookie Lyon!

August 7, 2015

Photo Credit: Hutchins Photo

Photo Credit: Hutchins Photo

Fox held it’s TCA (Television Critics Association) 2015 panels and events= on Thursday, and every0ne wanted to hear what’s in store for the breakout show of last season, Empire!

The hip-hop sudser that will continue right where it left off when it bows for its second season on September 23rd at 9PMEST, and will feature a split 18 episode order from the network – 10 for the fall will air, and then a break, and then final 8 episodes in the spring.

But what was most intriguing to learn was that Empire creator Lee Daniels does have a spin-off in mind for the mighty soap opera, and it would feature a young Cookie Lyon. The adult Cookie is played by Emmy-nominee Taraji P. Henson.

Daniels revealed: “I think there’s going to be a spinoff of Empire,without question. I have to tell story that I know. I can’t tell it unless I’ve lived it.” He then went on to say about the Cookie Lyon series idea: “OK, here she is now. How did she get to where she’s at right now? Let’s go back and understand her mother. Let’s go back and understand her sisters. Let’s get back and understand the makings of her. That I know, because I know Cookie … It would be like a prequel. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”

Now watch the just released trailer for season two of Empire after the jump! Then, let us know would you like to see another soapy spin-off featuring a young Cookie and her “fam”? Comment below!

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Guest

richard

I hate when series have spinoffs. Just keep making Empire great and focus on that. Divided attn will hurt both shows.

Guest

davlestev1

I know richard..one show blows up and it’s immediate sequels and brought to you by..while the original gets lost in translation and quietly disappears..DON’T DO IT FOX..

Guest

su0000

I am soooo ready!!
Empire has it all, it keeps me on the edge, I like that..

Guest

Anacarrie

I am counting down the days! Terrence and Taraji rules!

Guest

SZima

Please! DO NOT SPIN this show off. Both shows will end up suffering if they do.
Empire is a unique show and fun to watch. Why insult it by creating a copycat show?

Guest

Liam

This idea seems stupid (to me). The network should focus on the current show. Many shows like Empire (Revenge, the OC, etc.) have started off gangbusters and then adjusted/fizzled. I expect no less from “Empire” despite its strong first season.

Empire

‘Empire’ Favorite Taraji P. Henson to Host the American Music Awards

November 2, 2020

She played the fierce head of record label and music empire on TV, and now she is about to take on the hosting duties at one of music’s most popular nights of the year, when she hosts ABC’s American Music Awards. News today has former Empire on Fox star, Taraji P. Henson (Ex-Cookie Lyon) taking on the key role in keeping the night moving and the music coming for music fans around the world.

The 2020 AMAs will air live on Sunday, November 22nd at 8:00 PM ET/PT. In a statement on her latest gig, Henson expressed: “The AMAs brings together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists – the fans, I’m proud to take the stage as this year’s host – and also a fan – for what promises to be an electrifying night of music.”

And coming up the motion picture and television actress will put a spotlight on mental wellness in a new talk show for Facebook Watch. In addition, she is also currently developing an Empire spinoff with her production company.

Broadcasting live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s AMA nominees include The Weeknd and rapper Roddy Ricch, both with eight nominations, leading the pack of this year’s nominees. Voting for the AMA’s continues and you can a vote in all categories here.

So, it seems to us that Taraji will be a great host for the AMA’s! What are your thoughts? Comment below.

Breaking News

‘Empire’s’ Diamond White Lands Contract Role on The Bold and the Beautiful

September 17, 2020

Look for The Bold and the Beautiful to add to their cast with news on Thursday that Diamond White (previously see on Empire as Lala) will take on the role of Zoe’s (Kiara Barnes)sister, Paris Buckingham on the CBS daytime drama.

Paris and Zoe are the daughters of crime-ridden Dr. Reese Buckingham (Wayne Brady) who was sent to the slammer for his baby-switch plot involving baby Beth and his gambling debts.

White will begin taping her new role tomorrow on Friday, and will first are on the November 2nd episode of B&B. Deadline first reported the news.

Besides her role on Empire, Diamond has had a recurring role on Netflix’s Dear White People, as well as a guest art on ABC’s Fresh off the Boat, and more,

Looks like the Buckingham sisters might have their eyes set on Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) , the incoming Zende (Delon de Metz) and who knows who else on the canvas!

So, what do you think about a new Buckingham in the mix on B&B? Comment below.

Breaking News

Taraji P. Henson Developing Cookie Lyon ‘Empire’ Spinoff With New First-Look Deal Via 20th Century Fox

July 23, 2020

Looks like more ‘Cookie’ is on the way, if this long bantered about Empire spinoff takes place. But, news today via Deadline makes the whole thing look more promising! Series star, Taraji P. Henson has signed a new first-look deal with 20th Century Fox where she would star and be one of the EP’s of the new show.

The show would be written by Empire EP Danny Strong with Stacy A. Littlejohn and Yolonda Lawrence, and Empire director Sanaa Hamri to take those reins again behind the camera.

Henson said in a statement on the deal: “I believe that normalizing stories around stigmatizing matters will make them more palatable for audiences to embrace. Art can change perception and I plan to develop projects that can help further the conversation. I also aim to help cultivate and establish new young talent and their stories because they are our future and deserve a voice and a platform to be heard. I’m so excited to have 20th, led by the talented Carolyn Cassidy, support me in this new endeavor!”

20th Century Fox TV president Carolyn Cassidy shared on Thursday: “We were lucky to have a front row seat to Taraji’s meteoric rise as a fixture on television through Empire. Through that relationship everyone at the company grew to appreciate her passion for storytelling and her strong creative gut instinct. With Empire finished we look forward to helping her explore stories that need to be told through her talent and advocacy.”

Empire ended its sixth and final season a bit shorter than expected due to COVID-19 shutting down production, but now Henson has a way forward to tell us more of Cookie’s story. This would just be one of the projects Henson would have under this deal with 20th Century Fox.

So, would you like to see more Cookie Lyon in a spinoff of Empire? Comment below.