We live in the age of Empire. Fox’s smash-hit hip-hop drama is set for a triumphant return this fall, and avid viewers everywhere now have their first look at what’s in store for Season Two.
The new trailer for Empire’s sophomore season, released yesterday, teases the sea changes that have rocked the show’s world. First and foremost, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) has gone from a mogul to an inmate—we get a glimpse of him glowering behind bars, as well as a shot of his son Jamal (Jussie Smollett) putting on an outdoor, #FreeLucious-themed show.
Meanwhile, the formidable Cookie (recent Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson) appears to be on improved terms with a one-time adversary: Anika “Boo Boo Kitty” Calhoun (Grace Gealy). Cookie swaggers through the Empire Records office like she owns the place, but her attitude appears to change considerably when she pays Lucious a visit in prison.
The dynamic drama of Empire has taken TV by storm and set up an explosive second season. But amidst all the changes, one key element of the show remains the same: as the teaser trailer soundtrack points out, on Empire, “It’s about the power.”
Empire strikes back on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Watch the Season Two teaser above and catch up on the first season right here.