Empire Season 2

If you want romantic drama that respects your intelligence, Empire Season 2 is available on and right now. A compact run that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Terrence Howard carries the emotional throughline with real conviction. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Empire Season 2 arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The chemistry between the leads is the engine that drives everything, and Empire Season 2 makes sure it fires. The second season picks up three months after the shocking arrest and incarceration of Empire Entertainment head Lucious Lyon. Knowing Lucious won’t be held much longer in prison, Cookie and her allies within the Lyon family make a desperate attempt to seize control of the company. But as the Lyons continue to battle each other, a bigger external threat emerges that could force them to unite. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2015. The relationship at the centre of Empire Season 2 develops at a pace that feels earned rather than rushed for plot reasons. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Romance fans and drama viewers alike will find something to love in Empire Season 2. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete run is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Terrence Howard's performance makes the emotional stakes feel real, not manufactured. Worth watching alone or with someone who shares your taste.

🎬 Empire Season 2 — Episode Guide

The Devils Are Here

2015-09-23

Still in federal lockup, Lucious is trying to run Empire from inside, while a headline-grabbing state prosecutor hangs her political ambitions on bringing him down - no matter what it takes. Meanwhile, Cookie stages a star-studded #FreeLucious concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakee...

Without a Country

2015-09-30

Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it’s off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label. As his first project for the new company, Hakeem decides to form a girl group and woos a hot Latina lead singer, proving that he can be more than ju...

Fires of Heaven

2015-10-07

Anika secretly work together behind Lucious’ back to pull off a surprise performance that catches the eye of Pitbull. Meanwhile, Lucious tracks down Frank Gathers’ daughter, Young Ma, to try to convince her to sign with him at Empire, while Hakeem is hard at work on his girl group, Ménage a Trois. A...

Poor Yorick

2015-10-14

The Lyons are still split into warring factions, but they all decide to shoot a music video that will capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal's duet from Hakeem's leaked album, a collaboration that will benefit both companies. Meanwhile, Lucious trades his real handcuffs for virtual ones. However, knowing he...

Be True

2015-10-21

Over at Lyon Dynasty, Cookie and Anika work together with Laz to throw “Cookie Lyon’s Block Party,” a big event to launch their company, showcase their artists and premiere a signature Dynasty anthem written by Hakeem. Meanwhile, Jamal gets busy working on his music with Ne-Yo. Also, Hakeem begins a...

A High Hope for a Low Heaven

2015-11-04

Lucious and Cookie must put aside their differences and work together as parents to protect their family and keep them out of danger. Jamal does his best to get back in the studio and break away from being defined solely as a gay artist, while Hakeem struggles with how to feel and act like a man. Me...

True Love Never

2015-11-11

Lucious begins to strategize the ascension of Empire from record label into global music monolith, so he looks into starting a partnership with Jago, the founder of a music streaming company. Meanwhile, Andre has to twist his newfound values to achieve a delicate balance between his faith and his ca...

My Bad Parts

2015-11-18

Lucious, eager to assert his power, releases a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Not to be outdone in Lucious' eyes, Hakeem fires back at Freda with a rap battle challenge that could put Lyon Dynasty's future in danger. Meanwhile, Cookie gets a special visit from her spitfire sister, Cand...

Sinned Against

2015-11-25

Cookie and her sister, Candace, team up with a former prison mate to rescue their sister, Carol. Back at Empire, Jamal and critically acclaimed pop star Skye Summers begin collaborating and soon share a deep connection. Meanwhile, Laz has truly fallen for Cookie, but things get complicated when she ...

E10

Et Tu, Brute

2015-12-02

Lucious makes a reckless play for the streaming service that he believes will make him the most powerful man in music, only to learn that the entire business strategy was part of a scheme that might bring Hakeem’s ex, Camilla, back into the picture. Meanwhile, Cookie decides to plan a concert at the...

E11

Death Will Have His Day

2016-03-30

After losing the company he built, Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie has her own way of handling things. Meanwhile, Rhonda, Andre and the rest of the Lyon family come to terms with a horrific, life-changing tragedy that changes their lives as they know it.

E12

A Rose by Any Other Name

2016-04-06

With Hakeem acting as Empire’s CEO, Camilla sinks her claws further and further into him. The rest of the Lyon family tries to get him to rejoin their side, but Hakeem has his own plan. Meanwhile, Jamal receives backlash from his fans and Andre and Rhonda’s marriage is tested.

E13

The Tameness of a Wolf

2016-04-13

Tensions between Lucious and his sons continue to rise. Back at Lyon Dynasty, Lucious aims to direct his most emotional and honest music video yet and recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for the new single. Meanwhile, on the Mirage a Trois tour, Tiana and Laura begin viciously fighting...

E14

Time Shall Unfold

2016-04-20

Lucious releases his new music video, as he manipulates and sabotages those around him to regain his CEO position at Empire. Meanwhile, Andre learns more about his grandmother's mental illness in order to understand his own struggle with bipolar disorder, Anika reveals a big secret to the family and...

E15

More Than Kin

2016-04-27

With help from Andre, Lucious hosts a fundraiser, as part of his campaign to prove to the board that he should return as Empire’s CEO. Meanwhile, Hakeem must decide whether he wants to be a father to his and Anika’s child.

E16

The Lyon Who Cried Wolf

2016-05-04

A wrench is thrown into Lucious’ deeply personal music video about his mother, when Andre discovers a dark secret. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Jamal are compromised after tempting themselves with new or rekindling, but secretive affairs. Then, Rhonda starts to suspect who her attacker was.

E17

Rise by Sin

2016-05-04

Hakeem feels the pressure of his underwhelming fiancé, Laura, as he struggles to find a place for her both in his family and his career. Cookie finally reveals to Jamal the truth behind what happened to Freda's father, prompting Jamal to warn Freda of his family's ulterior motives. Meanwhile, despit...

E18

Past Is Prologue

2016-05-18

After a life-changing experience, Jamal refuses to make music until his family ends its seemingly endless cycle of violence and fighting. Meanwhile, the Feds are tailing Anika because they want to force her to testify against Lucious. In order to protect her family, Cookie organizes a meeting at Hak...

📡 Where to Watch Empire Season 2

🎬 Empire Season 2 — Episode Guide

🎭 Cast of Empire Season 2

📋 All Seasons of Empire

Never Lose Track of Empire