Taraji P. Henson, most widely known for her Oscar nominated performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is set to star in Fox’s new drama Empire. Empire is a new family drama that takes place is the glamorous world of Hip Hop music and according to TV Guide many of the episodes will feature both original and current music.
Henson, who recently starred in the CBS crime-suspense series Person of Interest, will be playing Cookie Lyon. Lyon is the ex-wife of Lucious Lyon, played by her fellow Hustle and Flow co-star Terrence Howard. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Howard’s character is the head of a record label, and at the center of the drama that will ensue this season.
Jussie Smollett, former star of On Our Own, will be joining the cast as well. Smollett will play one of the couple’s children who has some musical talent up his sleeves as well as a little bit of drama. The pilot has no official release date, but will be written and produced by The Butler’s Lee Daniels and The Game Change’s Danny Strong.