Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Musical melodrama explores family, fame, and homophobia.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Empire
What's the Story?
At the height of his professional career, EMPIRE Entertainment's chief executive, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), rounds up his three sons––Andre (Trai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett), and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray)––and announces that he'll be choosing only one of them to take the reins when the day finally comes that he retires. As the brothers begin jockeying for position, Lucious' unpredictable ex-wife, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), shows up after nearly two decades in prison and demands her fair share of the business that her money—and discerning ear—built. But with secrets, sabotage, and egos threatening to tear them apart, the real question is: Can this family survive its own empire?
Is It Any Good?
This ambitious drama kicks off with a Shakespearean power play as music mogul Lucious pits his three sons against each other for control of his legacy. Empire is epic in its intentions to explore power, greed, and sibling rivalry. It's certainly not the first time Shakespeare has inspired a mainstream TV plot, but it might be the first time it's been applied to the world of hip-hop, and the results are both soapy and solidly entertaining.
Created by Oscar-nominated film director Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, Lee Daniels' The Butler), Empire shines a light on the grit and glamour of hip-hop culture and simultaneously raises provocative questions, particularly about homophobia in the industry and whether an openly gay Black artist could ever be a mainstream success—a theme made more complicated by actor Smollett's real-life legal scandal. But it also keeps things light with a strong original soundtrack by Timbaland that will likely appeal to teens, and the great thing is, the content is largely OK for them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Empire's portrayal of what it's like being both gay and Black in America. How accurate are the characters' experiences? What's the show's point of view when it comes to homophobia and intolerance?
Does the off-screen scandal involving actor Jussie Smollett complicate the show's portrayal of his character, a gay Black artist navigating acceptance, identity, and success in the entertainment industry? Why, or why not?
Show creator Lee Daniels has described Empire as a "Black Dynasty." Does the series break any new ground when it comes to Black characters on television? Do they fall into any stereotypes?
What elements does Empire have in common with King Lear, the Shakespearean tragedy it references? How have the writers modernized the classic tale for today's media-savvy consumers? Do you think it's a successful modern spin? Why, or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 7, 2015
- Cast : Terrence Howard , Taraji P. Henson , Gabourey Sidibe
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Hip-Hop , Music and Sing-Along ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Awards : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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