Empire: Season 3

2016 · 18 episodes · ★ 7.8

What Season 3 of Empire

Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while also clashing with his half-brother, Tariq, who is leading a federal task force investigating him. Cookie aims to start over, in pursuit of her own happiness with a new romantic interest. Meanwhile, the Lyon brothers struggle with fame and ambition, and the choices they face will become a battle for the soul of the Lyon family.

18episodes

Sep 21, 2016premiered

May 24, 2017latest episode

12.9 hrtotal runtime

Season 3 Episodes

3x01 Light in Darkness
Sep 21, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 7.3
Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while clashing with his half-brother, Tariq, who is leading a federal task force investigating him.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Malcolm Spellman · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Vivica A. Fox, AzMarie Livingston, Tasha Smith
3x02 Sin That Amends
Sep 28, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 8.6
In an attempt to cope with life after being shot, Jamal teams up with businessman Angelo Dubois, to talk about gun violence and host a summit for awareness. When he tries to perform again, things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Lucious attempts to win over Cookie, Hakeem starts to record new songs with Shine, and Andre runs into some trouble with the police.
Directed by: Craig Brewer · Written by: Cherien Dabis · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Jeremy L. Carver, Leslie Uggams, Angela Yee
3x03 What Remains Is Bestial
Oct 5, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 7.1
Cookie calls in a favor with mega-superstar Kitty to record a new song with Jamal, hoping he will overcome his inability to perform. Meanwhile, Andre runs into some trouble and things don’t go as planned. Cookie and Lucious are at odds, Hakeem and Gram fight for Tiana’s attention, and things heat up between Cookie and Angelo Dubois
Directed by: Millicent Shelton · Written by: Eric Haywood, Diane Ademu-John · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Leslie Uggams, Sierra Aylina McClain, Taye Diggs
3x04 Cupid Kills
Oct 12, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 7.2
Things heat up between Cookie and Angelo, so Lucious finally recognizes Angelo as a formidable rival and prepares to take him on. Meanwhile, Jamal is finally able to face Freda Gatz, a big first step on his journey to recovery. Also, Anika goes back to work at Empire and instantly causes turmoil, while Hakeem starts falling for Nessa, even though she might be into a different Lyon.
Directed by: Hanelle M. Culpepper · Written by: Matt Pyken, Attica Locke · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Jeremy L. Carver, Ray Austin, Ajiona Alexus
3x05 One Before Another
Nov 9, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 8.7
Lucious and Andre are on high alert as they wait for Shine to retaliate after their latest business encounter went south. Jamal, who has yet to perform in front of his fans, teams up with Hakeem for a performance that he thinks could help him face his fears. Meanwhile, Cookie is caught off-guard during a routine meeting with her probation officer
Directed by: Mario Van Peebles · Written by: Joshua Allen, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: AzMarie Livingston, Geno Walker, Sierra Aylina McClain, Taye Diggs
3x06 Chimes at Midnight
Nov 16, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 6.7
Empire is hacked and the leak creates feuds between artists and among the Lyon family. Andre takes advantage of the leak to step up and prove his worth to the company. Meanwhile, Lucious continues to try and drive a wedge between Cookie and Angelo, and Jamal finds himself in a love triangle.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Eric Haywood, Cherien Dabis · Starring: Andre Royo, AzMarie Livingston, Sara Sevigny, Will Kinnear
3x07 What We May Be
Nov 30, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 7.2
Cookie looks to Candace for tips on how to plan an elaborate family dinner that will impress Angelo's mother, Diane. Meanwhile, old home videos cause Cookie to face secrets about her relationship with her father that she had tried to hide from her kids, and Andre organizes an unlikely duet
Directed by: Kevin Bray · Written by: Malcolm Spellman, Diane Ademu-John · Starring: Vivica A. Fox, AzMarie Livingston, Tasha Smith, Mike Moh
3x08 The Unkindest Cut
Dec 7, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 5.0
Andre sabotages Tiana's big appearance at a fashion edvent in an attempt to get Nessa into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Tariq works with Leah to try to bring down Lucious, and Jamal works with Philip to get over his PTSD.
Directed by: Dennie Gordon · Written by: Jamie Rosengard, Attica Locke · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Andre Royo, Jeremy L. Carver, Leslie Uggams
3x09 A Furnace For Your Foe Mid-Season Finale
Dec 14, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 6.1
Cookie attempts to help Angelo appeal to the masses and win the mayoral bid, by hosting a free park concert. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate Lucious and freezes all of Empire's assets, which has major repercussions.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Matt Pyken, Ilene Chaiken · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Andre Royo, AzMarie Livingston, Jeremy L. Carver
3x10 Sound & Fury
Mar 22, 2017 · 43 min
After launching a deadly missile at Angelo, Lucious announces his new music project, Inferno, and puts everyone on notice - especially Cookie, who then vows to knock him off his throne for good. Meanwhile, Jamal befriends musician Tory Ash during his stay in rehab, Andre continues with his plan to take over EMPIRE, and Hakeem and Tiana battle Nessa for a spot in the music showcase.
Directed by: Craig Brewer · Written by: Eric Haywood, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Andre Royo, Rumer Willis, Mike Moh, Leslie Uggams
3x11 Play On
Mar 29, 2017 · 43 min
Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo, while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious. Meanwhile, Leah seeks out Tariq's help in taking down Anika, and Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.
Directed by: Benny Boom · Written by: Janeika James, Jasheika James · Starring: Andre Royo, Rumer Willis, Vivica A. Fox, Jeremy L. Carver
3x12 Strange Bedfellows
Apr 5, 2017 · 43 min
Angelo makes an unsettling discovery and is concerned that Cookie's past isn't in the past and will hurt his chances of becoming the Mayor. Anika is faced with a life-changing decision after Tariq reveals what he is really after. Meanwhile, Hakeem's 21st birthday party takes an unexpected turn.
Directed by: Bille Woodruff · Written by: Matt Pyken, Attica Locke · Starring: Andre Royo, AzMarie Livingston, Tim Hopper, Claudette Burchett
3x13 My Naked Villainy
Apr 12, 2017 · 43 min
Hakeem throws an epic 21st birthday party and live-streams it all on Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, suspicions surrounding Anika's motives put the Lyons on high alert and the arrival of Giuliana gives Cookie a run for her money.
Directed by: Cherien Dabis · Written by: Jamie Rosengard, Joshua Allen · Starring: Andre Royo, Estelle, Claudette Burchett, Khloe Janel
3x14 Love Is a Smoke
Apr 26, 2017 · 43 min
Cookie gives Lucious unexpected news that makes him feel uneasy about the future. Hoping to make Cookie jealous, Giuliana moves in on Lucious and persuades him to comply with her new plans. Meanwhile, Anika and Tariq devise a new plan and Charlotte Frost holds the Empire Las Vegas dream in her hands.
Directed by: Tricia Brock · Written by: Diane Ademu-John, Cherien Dabis · Starring: Andre Royo, Rumer Willis, Antoine McKay, Phylicia Rashād
3x15 Civil Hands Unclean
May 3, 2017 · 43 min
Angelo's relationship with Cookie turns toxic and leaves her questioning her decisions. Hakeem makes a public plea for Lucious to give him paternity of Bella during his return to Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, Cookie becomes increasingly more suspicious of Lucious' intentions with Giuliana and Empire's future in Vegas, and Lucious and Jamal work overtime to finish their albums.
Directed by: Howard Deutch · Written by: Ilene Chaiken, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Andre Royo, Rumer Willis, AzMarie Livingston, Claudette Burchett
3x16 Absent Child
May 10, 2017 · 43 min
The Lyons fear that the Dubois family is to blame for their latest family crisis, so when no one is willing to give up any information, Cookie takes matters into her own hands. Jamal and Lucious reach a breakthrough in a song on which they have been working, and Andre lashes out. Meanwhile, Cookie sets her eyes on a new plan for Empire in Vegas.
Directed by: Millicent Shelton · Written by: Attica Locke, Malcolm Spellman · Starring: Andre Royo, AzMarie Livingston, Leslie Uggams, Alanna Lovely
3x17 Toil and Trouble (1)
May 17, 2017 · 43 min
When Cookie is banned from Leviticus Vegas, she pulls together a team of her own allies to seek revenge on Giuliana and steal her secret weapon. Meanwhile, Jamal is encouraged to put his album on hold, so as not to compete with Lucious' "Inferno".
Directed by: Craig Brewer · Written by: Eric Haywood, Diane Ademu-John · Starring: Andre Royo, Vivica A. Fox, AzMarie Livingston, Tasha Smith
3x18 Toil and Trouble (2) Season Finale
May 24, 2017 · 43 min
As Lucious gets ready to launch Empire Las Vegas with Giuliana at his side, Cookie pulls together her own team of allies to wreak havoc on the opening.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Joshua Allen, Ilene Chaiken · Starring: Terrell Carter, AzMarie Livingston, Leslie Uggams, Alanna Lovely