TV News

First Look: “Empire” Begins Season 3 With “Light In Darkness” Episode On 9/21

It is sometimes unclear how a television drama will begin its new season.

The season three premiere of FOX’s “Empire” will not represent one of those occasions.

Season two ended with a cliffhanger — a fight between Anika and Rhonda leading to a fall off the roof — and season three picks up where that left off.

It also finds Lucious continuing to focus on his streaming service, and Tariq continuing his task force investigation.

Entitled “Light In Darkness,” the season premiere of FOX’s “Empire” airs at 9PM ET on September 21. In advance of the broadcast, FOX shared a synopsis, cast list and gallery of production photos.
(Note: If you’re accessing the AMP version of this page, you may have trouble seeing the images. Click here to view the gallery)

EMPIRE picks up exactly where Season Two ended – Hakeem left at the altar, Lucious and Anika married and Anika and Rhonda fighting on the roof – until someone falls. Also, Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while clashing with his half-brother, Tariq (Morocco Omari), who is leading a federal task force investigating him in the all-new “Light in Darkness” season premiere episode of EMPIRE airing Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Cast: Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Bryshere ‘Yazz’ Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Trai Byers as Andre Lyon, Grace Byers as Anika Calhoun, Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon, Gabourey Sidibe as Becky, Ta’Rhonda Jones as Porsha and Serayah as Tiana, Bre-Z as Freda Gatz, Xzibit as Shine Johnson and Morocco Omari as Tariq Cousins

Guest Cast: Leslie Uggams as Leah Walker, Tasha Smith as Carol, Vivica A. Fox as Candace, French Montana as Vaughn, Birdman as Himself, Sierra A. McClain as Nessa, Ajiona Alexus as Teenage Loretha, Jeremy Carver as Teenage Lucious, AzMarie Livingston as Chicken, Tyla Abercrumbie as Nurse, Patrick Clear as Doctor, Tha Pope as Jack, Eric Lane as Drop, Claudette Burchett as Juanita, David Lively as Butler, Birgundi Baker as Teen Carol, Lawnyae Marie as Teen Candace, Ivan Ellis as ROYALE-T

EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Gray in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOXmore
EMPIRE: Morocco Omari in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Terrence Howard in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOXmore
EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOXmore
EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOXmore
EMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Gray and Jussie Smollett in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOXmore
EMPIRE: Terrence Howard in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Bryshere Gray (C) in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
EMPIRE: Guest star Sierra McClain in the "Light in Darkness" episode of EMPIRE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Chuck Hodes/FOX
Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.

Share
Published by
Brian Cantor