The second season of Empire is already going to be bigger with more episodes. Now Fox is hoping to add some star wattage to the show by bringing in a trio of guest stars.
During its upfront presentation for advertisers on Monday, Fox TV co-chairman Dana Walden said that comedian Chris Rock and singers Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz will all appear on the show. Entertainment Weekly reports that there had been suggestions in the past that Common and Oprah Winfrey might appear, but they weren’t confirmed.
The first season of Empire, which averaged a whopping 7.1 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, featured guest stars Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight and others. The show also averaged 17.3 million viewers.
Empire’s second season will run 18 episodes, six more than season one, Fox said. The first nine will air in the fall and the second half will air in 2016 without repeats in between.
Fox also announced its full fall schedule Monday, leaving Empire in the Wednesday, 9 p.m. slot.
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image of Chris Rock courtesy of INFphoto.com