Empire: Season 4

2017 · 18 episodes · ★ 7.0

What Season 4 of Empire

Season 4 of Empire Has 18 episodes and premiered on September 27, 2017. Here's the complete episode guide with air dates, runtimes and ratings.

18episodes

Sep 27, 2017premiered

May 23, 2018latest episode

12.9 hrtotal runtime

Season 4 Episodes

4x01 Noble Memory
Sep 27, 2017 · 43 min · ★ 7.2
In celebration of Empire's 20th Anniversary, Lucious makes his first public appearance since the explosion in Las Vegas, but still has no memory of his family, Empire or his life before the accident. A devastated Cookie struggles to rebuild her relationship with him, while keeping a close eye on his nurse, Claudia. Meanwhile, Andre is faced with an investigation by the LAPD surrounding the night of the explosion, Diana DuBois continues her war against the Lyons.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Brett Mahoney · Starring: Mike Moh, Queen Latifah, Claudette Burchett, Kevin Wigfall
4x02 Full Circle
Oct 4, 2017 · 43 min
With Leah still insisting that he is a monster, Lucious sneaks away in hopes of finding out what type of person he was before the explosion. Cookie panics that Lucious has gone missing on Claudia's watch, until she realizes he found his way to Uncle Eddie, a music icon who has since become family to the Lyons. Meanwhile, with Anika still behind bars, Hakeem and Tiana grow more comfortable as a family, and Becky makes a rash decision regarding Jamal's new song.
Directing: Craig Brewer · Writing: Eric Haywood, Craig Brewer · Starring: Claudette Burchett, Forest Whitaker, Leslie Uggams, Demi Moore
4x03 Evil Manners
Oct 11, 2017 · 43 min
When Cookie is denied a line of credit, she flashes back to her years in prison and compares her past struggles to her life now. Lucious continues to struggle with demons of his own and begs his family to tell him about the ways he's wronged them, but they are reluctant to tell him the truth. Meanwhile, the NYPD is still on Andre's case about the events that transpired in Vegas and one officer in particular catches his eye.
Directed by: Bille Woodruff · Written by: Matt Pyken, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Claudette Burchett, Alanna Lovely, Kevin Wigfall, Phylicia Rashād
4x04 Bleeding War
Oct 18, 2017 · 43 min
The race is on when Cookie announces that the number one album for Empire's 20-For-20 will be a competition between all of the label's top artists, giving Jamal a bold idea for his newest song. On the heels of Bella's first birthday, the family plans a special "Prince and Princesses"-themed birthday party, including a special Prince tribute, but the special day brings back haunting memories for one of the Lyons. Meanwhile, Lucious is at a crossroads, as he tries to put to rest the anger from his past life.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Jamie Rosengard, Diane Ademu-John · Starring: AzMarie Livingston, Marcell Johnson, Phylicia Rashād, James Colby
4x05 The Fool
Nov 8, 2017 · 43 min
When the secret about Lucious' memory is exposed, Cookie attempts to convince the board that he is fine by inviting the press to watch him produce the first 20 for 20 album. Eddie Barker jumps in to help Lucious get back in his groove and make music in the studio. Just as Andre's feelings for Detective Pamela Rose intensify, she reveals information that's been uncovered regarding the explosion. Meanwhile, Hakeem worries about his secret involvement with the DuBois family and Claudia helps Lucious with a breakthrough.
Directed by: Howard Deutch · Written by: Janeika James, Jasheika James · Starring: AzMarie Livingston, Claudette Burchett, Forest Whitaker, Kevin Wigfall
4x06 Fortune Be Not Crost
Nov 15, 2017 · 43 min
The Lyon family stands together as Anika and Hakeem begin a custody battle for Bella. Although they're confident in Hakeem's ability as a father, no one is prepared for the revelations her team brings to the trial. Meanwhile, Claudia grows more possessive over Lucious, who has unlocked a new way to understand music through his paintings. Also, Jamal introduces Warren to Lucious, Andre begins seeing a new therapist, and one of Becky's old flames returns.
Directing: Sanaa Hamri · Writing: Dianne Houston, Joshua Allen · Starring: AzMarie Livingston, Tim Hopper, Claudette Burchett, Alanna Lovely
4x07 The Lady Doth Protest
Nov 29, 2017 · 43 min
Production comes to a halt on Empire's 20-For-20 when Calvin and Portia, feeling overworked by their new producer, Eddie Barker, call for a strike, leaving Cookie to find a solution to the issue. In an attempt to prove that he can still be the man he was before the explosion, Lucious arranges a deal on Hakeem's behalf, not knowing the repercussions that could follow. Meanwhile, love is in the air for Jamal and Andre, who each express their feelings for their significant others, not knowing the secrets that are being kept from them.
Directed by: Karen Gaviola · Written by: Matt Pyken, Eric Haywood · Starring: AzMarie Livingston, Forest Whitaker, Michael Evans Behling, Phylicia Rashād
4x08 Cupid Painted Blind
Dec 6, 2017 · 43 min
Cookie and Lucious take matters into their own hands as they watch Diana DuBois' master scheme unfold. Meanwhile, Andre begins to spiral out of control, wondering what she could have in store for him. Also, Jamal's sobriety is put to the test and Shine gives Hakeem advice on how to maintain a balance between his work and personal life.
Directing: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum · Writing: Diane Ademu-John, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Antoine McKay, Phylicia Rashād, James Colby, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
4x09 Slave to Memory Mid-Season Finale
Dec 13, 2017 · 43 min
Cookie and Lucious devise an elaborate plan to take down Diana Dubois and her family once and for all. Andre recovers from his mental breakdown in the hospital, Shine tries desperately to protect his secret and Eddie Barker is concluding his tenure at Empire. Amidst the chaos, someone's life hangs in the balance.
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri · Written by: Dianne Houston, Joshua Allen · Starring: Nicole Ari Parker, AzMarie Livingston, Claudette Burchett, Linda Bright Clay
4x10 Birds in the Cage
Mar 28, 2018 · 43 min
Nurse Claudia takes her job to a new level, when she kidnaps Lucious. To find him, Cookie must race against time and use the skills she learned in prison to rescue him. Meanwhile, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem pick up the pieces from their battle with the Dubois family.
Directing: Craig Brewer · Writing: Craig Brewer · Starring: James Colby, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Ptosha Storey, Demi Moore
4x11 Without Apology
Apr 4, 2018 · 43 min
On the brink of a lucrative tech deal, Eddie realizes that he must work on rebranding Empire. Cookie springs into action when a girl group from the past re-unites and threatens to expose secrets about Empire and Lucious. Meanwhile, Hakeem makes a major move with Tiana, Andre continues to struggle with his guilt and Becky is faced with a difficult situation.
Directed by: Dianne Houston · Written by: Matt Pyken, Joshua Allen · Starring: Nicole Ari Parker, Claudette Burchett, Forest Whitaker, Pej Vahdat
4x12 Sweet Sorrow
Apr 11, 2018 · 43 min
A Lyon health scare shakes up Empire, as Cookie holds down the fort, in spite of it all. Both Andre and Jamal try to right their wrongs, and Jamal makes a shocking revelation on live TV with Robin Roberts. Eager to take Empire to new heights, Eddie's motives are questioned when numbers don't add up. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Tiana find common ground and Becky reveals the secret she's been keeping from J. Poppa.
Directed by: Eric Haywood · Written by: Jamie Rosengard, Eric Haywood · Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Tasha Smith, Claudette Burchett, Forest Whitaker
4x13 Of Hardiness is Mother
Apr 18, 2018 · 43 min
Although Lucious pressures Cookie to take it easy, she can't help but take matters into her own hands when she receives unsettling news about an old friend. Meanwhile, Tiana's new 20 for 20 single takes off, leading to an unexpected change in her demeanor. Also, Jamal struggles to rebrand his image, Hakeem adopts a new role as musical mentor and Andre recruits Lucious to help him uncover the truth about Eddie's intentions.
Directing: Craig Brewer · Writing: Dianne Houston, Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Chet Hanks, AzMarie Livingston, Claudette Burchett, James Colby
4x14 False Face
Apr 25, 2018 · 43 min
Lucious and Thirsty try to squash Eddie's takeover by confronting him with legal papers. Cookie recalls her complex relationship with her mother, while she continues her search for her friend's orphaned daughter. Meanwhile, Andre flounders, Hakeem anxiously prepares a release strategy for his 20 for 20 single and Jamal and Tory try to find a new team to make their own first non-Empire single.
Directed by: Millicent Shelton · Written by: Janeika James, Jasheika James · Starring: Nicole Ari Parker, Chet Hanks, Rhyon Nicole Brown, AzMarie Livingston
4x15 A Lean and Hungry Look
May 2, 2018 · 43 min
As Eddie fights for his place at Empire Entertainment and gets the board on his side, Lucious and Shine must find a permanent solution to keep him out. Meanwhile, Cookie is desperate to fulfill a promise to a friend before it's too late. Then, when tensions rise in Jamal and Tory's new band, Preacher Azal inspires Jamal with an idea to get everyone in sync.
Directing: Bille Woodruff · Writing: Matt Pyken, Joshua Allen · Starring: Chet Hanks, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Alfre Woodard, Rekkhan
4x16 Fair Terms
May 9, 2018 · 43 min
When Cookie finally visits her mother, the two must confront their complicated past. Meanwhile, Lucious and Eddie continue their fight over Empire and Eddie makes a power play at the grand opening of Empire's 20 for 20 showcase. Then, Jamal and his band anonymously release their latest single and Hakeem tests out a career in film.
Directed by: Jussie Smollett · Written by: Dianne Houston, Jamie Rosengard · Starring: Chet Hanks, Vivica A. Fox, Tasha Smith, Claudette Burchett
4x17 Bloody Noses and Crack'd Crowns
May 16, 2018 · 43 min
Cookie and Lucious fight to keep Empire in the family, as they prepare a livestream concert to crowdfund the amount needed to trump Eddie's plans. Meanwhile, the success of Jamal's new anonymous group climbs, Hakeem brings Haven to the showcase to make Tiana jealous, and Andre is put to the test and must decide between the family or his career.
Directing: Howard Deutch · Writing: Carlito Rodriguez · Starring: Nicole Ari Parker, Chet Hanks, Claudette Burchett, Forest Whitaker
4x18 The Empire Unpossess'd Season Finale
May 23, 2018 · 43 min
As the Empire ownership bid presentation nears, Lucious must make a difficult decision to save the future of the company and his family, while Eddie shows no signs of backing down. However, Cookie reveals a potential upper hand in the power play for Empire, after doing a little digging into her past. Meanwhile, Andre makes a power play of his own, Hakeem's high spirits comes to a quick end due to a threat, Jamal and Tory struggle to cope with the success of their new music group, tension boils as the Lyons face Empire's most existential threat yet and someone's past mistakes leads to a deadly consequence. Season Finale.
Directed by: Craig Brewer · Written by: Joshua Allen, Brett Mahoney · Starring: Kaitlin Doubleday, Nicole Ari Parker, Chet Hanks, Forest Whitaker