Empire‘s Lee Daniels is finally giving viewers their first glimpse of Season 2. The showrunner posted a series of photos and videos from the Fox drama’s first days back on set. Here are seven juicy tidbits we learned from his behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.
Warning: Spoilers from the Season 1 finale ahead!
1. Lucious didn’t get away with murder
View this post on Instagram
As Empire fans know, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) ended up getting arrested at the end of the first season for killing Bucky. But knowing how sneaky he is, there was always the chance that the music mogul would somehow find a way to escape actually getting put behind bars. Apparently, that’s not the case. As evidenced by Daniels’ video above, the arrest stuck and the next season will kick off with Lucious in prison.
2. He’ll be locked up with some serious criminals
View this post on Instagram
Not only will Lucious be in jail, but it looks like he’ll also be in there with some major baddies. Just look at the two tough inmates Daniels is posing with. Talk about a seriously intimidating pair.
3. Chris Rock will be one of Lucious’ prison mates
View this post on Instagram
We already knew that Rock is one of the many awesome guest stars set to join the next season of Empire, but we didn’t know exactly who he’d be playing. Thanks to these new photos from the set, we finally have some more information. Rock will be appearing early on in the season and as shown above, his character will be doing hard time alongside Lucious.
More: Empire spoilers you need to know about Season 2
4. Things will get heated between the two of them
View this post on Instagram
It looks like it isn’t all smooth sailing between Howard and Rock. In the video, Howard jokes about accidentally punching the comedian in the stomach a couple of times. It’s unclear whether it was just an unintended run-in between the actors or the result of a staged altercation between their two characters. But knowing Lucious’ mean temper, I’m betting it’s the latter.
5. Tyra Ferrell will also be showing up
https://instagram.com/p/4VVozoOJKC/
One actress who we didn’t know would be joining Empire this season? Ferrell, who appears with Daniels, Howard and costar Jussie Smollett on set in the photo above. It’s unclear what character she’ll be playing, but the show creator is clearly excited to have her on board. “#Tyraferrell Is BACK!!!!,” he wrote in the caption. “Yes GOD!!! HER RETURN TO ACTING!!!!!.. SHE’S BACK!!”
More:23 Times Empire‘s Cookie threw shade and made us feel unworthy
6. Dee Rees will be directing an episode
https://instagram.com/p/4VlIFfOJC_/
As Daniels revealed in the Instagram clip above, Rees, the director of HBO’s acclaimed movie Bessie, will be helming an episode for Season 2. The filmmaker will reportedly be in charge of the second episode of the upcoming season.
7. Enjoy these teases, as Daniels is about to get a lot more tight-lipped
https://instagram.com/p/4W62Z4OJAG/
As he reveals in this clip, Daniels doesn’t want to give away too much of the story line, so he (sadly) intends to slow down on posting behind-the-scenes clips and photos. For the sake of all of us Empire fans, though, let’s just hope he doesn’t keep his word.
More:8 Ways the Empire finale was like A Christmas Carol
Empire returns to TV on Sept. 23, 2015.
Leave a Comment