Country of origin United States Original network Fox | No. of episodes 9 | |
Starring Terrence Howard
Taraji P. Henson
Bryshere Y. Gray
Jussie Smollett
Trai Byers
Grace Gealey
Gabourey Sidibe
Ta'Rhonda Jones
Serayah McNeill
Xzibit
Morocco Omari
Bre-Z Original release September 21, 2016 (2016-09-21) – present | ||
The third season of the American television drama series Empire premiered on September 21, 2016, in the United States on Fox. The third season was ordered on January 15, 2016. The show is produced by 20th Century Fox, 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 airs on Wednesday at 9:00 pm, the same slot as the previous seasons.
Contents
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.
Main cast
Recurring cast
Guest cast
Development
Empire was renewed for a third season on January 15, 2016. It was later announced that the season will premiere on September 21, 2016. Fox released a promotional poster on July 14, 2016, for the season, showcasing both Lucious Lyon and Cookie Lyon.
Casting
TVLine announced on June 18, 2016, that Xzibit who plays Shyne Johnson, Lucious’ drug-dealing adversary, was upgraded to a series regular for the third season after being a recurring role in the second season. On July 8, 2016, Entertainment Weekly announced that rapper French Montana will appear in the third-season premiere, playing music mogul Vaughn, a member of Lucious Lyon's powerful inner circle. Birdman will also appear on the show as himself. The Hollywood Reporter announced on July 13, 2016, that Sierra McClain will join the show in a recurring role. She will be playing Nessa, Shyne's loyal protege whom Lucious is eager to sign. In August 2016, it was announced Mariah Carey would appear as Kitty, a superstar who collabs with Jamal. On August 29, 2016, it was announced that Phylicia Rashad had joined the cast. On November 22, 2016, it was announced Nia Long would appear in a recurring role as Giuliana, a night club owner. On January 30, 2017, it was announced Eva Longoria would guest star. On February 21, 2017, Demi Moore was announced to be joining the cast of the series, making an appearance in the season finale, before recurring in Season 4.