Empire: Season 1

2015 · 12 episodes · ★ 7.5

What Season 1 of Empire

Lucious Lyon's reign as the head of Empire Entertainment has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes when he learns he has a disease and must choose one of his three sons to take over: Andre, Jamal or Hakeem. Complicating matters is their mother and Lucious' ex-wife, Cookie, who emerges from prison to claim her share.

12episodes

Jan 7, 2015premiered

Mar 18, 2015Latest episode

9.1 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 Pilot
Jan 7, 2015 · 48 min · ★ 4.7
Lucious Lyon is the head of a music empire whose reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes when he learns he has a disease and must choose one of his three sons to take over: Andre, Jamal or Hakeem. Complicating matters is their mother and Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie, who emerges from prison to claim her share.
Directing: Lee Daniels · Writing: Danny Strong, Lee Daniels · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Rafael de la Fuente, Tasha Smith, Antoine McKay
1x02 The Outspoken King
Jan 14, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 7.8
Lucious has to defend Empire's IPO launch after one of his artists is involved in a shooting; Cookie hears about Lucious' plans for a huge performance for Hakeem, but not Jamal; Bunkie's murder is investigated.
Directing: Lee Daniels · Writing: Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Rafael de la Fuente
1x03 The Devil Quotes Scripture
Jan 21, 2015 · 46 min · ★ 7.5
The Lyons head to Philadelphia and get a taste of what their life could have been if Lucious hadn't made it big. Lucious promotes Hakeem's new relationship with hip-hop star Tianna, but tensions rise when another woman tries to catch Hakeem's eye.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Ilene Chaiken, Joshua Allen · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Naomi Campbell
1x04 False Imposition
Jan 28, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 8.2
Lucious attempts to steal a super-hot, chart-topping artist from his rival at Safe House Records. Meanwhile, Jamal struggles to compose original music and Cookie tries to forge a relationship with her estranged son, Hakeem.
Directed by: Rosemary Rodriguez · Written by: Wendy Calhoun · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Naomi Campbell
1x05 Dangerous Bonds
Feb 4, 2015 · 46 min · ★ 6.8
Cookie receives an anonymous gift from an admirer that she believes might be a veiled threat from a person from her prison past. Meanwhile, Lucious takes charge of Hakeem's first video shoot.
Directed by: John Singleton · Written by: Malcolm Spellman · Starring: Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Nealla Gordon, AzMarie Livingston
1x06 Out, Damned Spot
Feb 11, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 9.4
Vernon is caught in the middle of a very sticky situation. Meanwhile, Jamal is rising to stardom, but his newfound drive and ambition might stir up trouble in his relationships. To make matters worse, a mystery woman (guest star Raven Symone) from the family's past shows up with a huge surprise.
Directing: Michael Engler · Writing: Eric Haywood · Starring: Ta'Rhonda Jones, Rafael de la Fuente, Damon Gupton, Courtney Love
1x07 Our Dancing Days
Feb 18, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 6.6
Tension mounts between Hakeem and Jamal, as Lucious attempts to brand Empire Entertainment as a tight-knit, “family-run” company. Meanwhile, Cookie and Anika don’t hold anything back when it comes to taking over the company.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Attica Locke · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Naomi Campbell, Rafael de la Fuente
1x08 The Lyon's Roar
Feb 25, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 8.6
It’s time for the Lyon family to come together and record a legacy album with Lucious, Hakeem and Jamal. Cookie and Camilla finally come face-to-face, Andre struggles with some inner demons and Jamal steps into the spotlight with news that surprises everyone.
Directing: Danny Strong · Writing: Danny Strong · Starring: Naomi Campbell, Eka Darville, Leah Sava Jeffries, M. Emmet Walsh
1x09 Unto the Breach
Mar 4, 2015 · 46 min · ★ 6.3
It's an all-out war when Cookie uncovers Anika's big backstabbing secret, and Lucious must come face-to-face with his longtime rival, Billy Beretti. As the Lyon family rallies to save Empire Entertainment, all three sons take drastic measures: Jamal gets close with famous artist Delphine, Hakeem works hand-in-hand with Cookie and Andre is pushed way beyond his limits.
Directing: Anthony Hemingway · Writing: David Rambo · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Eka Darville
1x10 Sins of the Father
Mar 11, 2015 · 45 min
Andre forms a new musical relationship with Michelle, and a woman from Lucious' past, Angie, comes into the picture. Meanwhile, Lucious invites the whole family over to his home. However, everyone arrives with their own agendas. Hakeem, under the influence of Camilla, sets out to show his father that he's a true artist and a good businessman. Then, Cookie prepares to state her own agenda for Empire and for her family, when Olivia arrives.
Directed by: Rob Hardy · Written by: Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft · Starring: Naomi Campbell, Eka Darville, Derek Luke, Raven-Symoné
1x11 Die But Once
Mar 18, 2015 · 46 min · ★ 8.4
Jamal and Lucious are on their way to forming a music-centered relationship, but once again, Lucious has a secret that's about to change everything.
Directed by: Mario Van Peebles · Written by: Ilene Chaiken · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Eka Darville, AzMarie Livingston
1x12 Who I Am Season Finale
Mar 18, 2015 · 45 min · ★ 6.1
Hakeem decides to flirt with the enemy, while trying to figure out what the best move is for his career. Meanwhile, Cookie is cooking up a plan of her own.
Directing: Debbie Allen · Writing: Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken · Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Nealla Gordon