List of ''Empire'' characters

Empire is an American musical drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong which debuted on January 7, 2015 on but began in late 2014.Fox. Although filmed in Chicago,^[1][2] the show is based in New York and it centers on a fictional hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control of the company.

Main characters

Actor	Character	Seasons
		1	2	3	4
Terrence Howard	Lucious Lyon	Main
Taraji P. Henson	Cookie Lyon	Main
Bryshere Y. Gray	Hakeem Lyon	Main
Jussie Smollett	Jamal Lyon	Main
Trai Byers	Andre Lyon	Main
Grace Gealey	Anika Calhoun	Main
Malik Yoba	Vernon Turner	Main
Kaitlin Doubleday	Rhonda Lyon	Main		Recurring
Gabourey Sidibe	Becky Williams	Recurring	Main
Ta'Rhonda Jones	Porsha Taylor	Recurring	Main
Serayah	Tiana Brown	Recurring	Main
Bre-Z	Freda Gatz		Recurring	Main
Morocco Omari	Tariq Cousins		Recurring	Main
Xzibit	Shyne Johnson		Guest	Main

Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard (original cast), 2015–present)

A former drug dealer turned hip hop mogul and the founder and long-time CEO of Empire Entertainment ^[3] whose life begins to cave in around him after his past sins come back to haunt him when allegedly diagnosed with ALS.

Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson (original cast), 2015–present)

Lucious Lyon's outspoken ex-wife and mother of his three sons, who served a 17-year stretch in prison for drug dealing. She sees herself as the sacrificial lamb for Empire Entertainment, which she built with Lucious, but then took the fall for when she was arrested for running the drugs that financed Lucious' early career. Upon her return from prison, she is determined to bring the Lyon family back together and reclaim her share of Empire Entertainment.^[4][5] In the second season, Cookie leaves Empire and starts her own record label, Lyon Dynasty. After allowing Empire Entertainment to acquire Lyon Dynasty, she returns to Empire as co-CEO with Lucious and Head of A&R. Cookie's love interests are Malcolm DeVeaux, Laz Delgado (Season 2) and Angelo DuBois (Season 3).

Andre Lyon (Trai Byers (original cast), 2015–present)

The eldest son of the Lyon family and CFO of Empire Entertainment. He is Wharton educated, power hungry, and suffers from bipolar disorder. He is married to his college sweetheart, Rhonda. He plans to run Empire, but is in a battle for the head chair with his younger brothers. In the second season, Andre initially helps Cookie and Hakeem set up Lyon Dynasty, but later returns to Empire. Lucious later promotes Andre to President of Gutter Life Records, a sub-division of Empire Entertainment consisting of mainly urban rappers, such as Freda Gatz. In Season 3 & 4, he loses his wife and becomes Nessa, Charlotte & Carlotta's new lovers.

Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett (original cast), 2015–present)

The middle son of the Lyon family, an openly gay singer-songwriter who despises the corporate aspect of the music industry. He is estranged from his father who considers him the "black sheep" of the family.^[4] Jamal is Cookie's favorite and has a strong relationship with his brother Hakeem. At the end of the first season, Lucious appoints Jamal as his successor and, later, interim CEO when he is arrested. He later relinquishes control of Empire back to Lucious. After being shot accidentally by Freda Gatz in Season 2, Jamal begins to present symptoms of PTSD and reliance on painkillers. His addiction ultimately leads to a visit to rehab.

Hakeem Lyon (Bryshere Y. Gray (original cast), 2015–present)

The fame-obsessed youngest son of the Lyon family and Lucious's favorite child, who is a hip hop star on the rise.^[6] Hakeem starts to find feelings for his mother, Cookie, and has a great relationship with Jamal. He has relationships with Tiana Brown, Camilla Marks, Anika Calhoun, Valentina, and Laura.

Anika Calhoun Lyon (Grace Gealey (original cast), 2015–present)

Initially the ambitious head of Empire Entertainment A&R^[7] who becomes engaged to Lucious, but they eventually separate. After leaving Empire, Anika begins to sleep with Hakeem, leading to Anika's pregnancy. Fearful of Rhonda's pregnancy and the unborn child's claim to being the Heir of Empire, Anika pushes Rhonda down a set of stairs, leading to the death of her unborn child. Cookie and Anika share an extreme dislike for one another, with Cookie referring to Anika as the derisive nickname "Boo Boo Kitty".^[8]

Vernon Turner (Malik Yoba (original cast), 2015)

Lucious Lyon's longtime friend and business partner, and chairman of Empire Entertainment. He was accidentally murdered by Rhonda in the season one finale.^[9]

Rhonda Lyon (Kaitlin Doubleday (original cast), 2015-2016)^[10][11]

Andre's wife. She is a ride or die type of woman, who is extremely fierce and loyal, and sticks by Andre's side as he tries to gain control of Empire. In the first-season finale, she finds out that she is pregnant, but the baby eventually dies in the second season spring premiere, after Anika violently pushed her down the stairs in the second season fall finale. After her recovery, Rhonda begins to work for Empire's fashion label, Antony and Cleopatra, initially headed by Camilla Marks-Whiteman. After Camilla's suicide, Rhonda is appointed Creative Director of Antony and Cleopatra. In the third-season premiere, she falls off of a building and lands onto a car, leading to her death, after attacking Anika. She makes numerous appearances in the third season, as the ghost of Rhonda, appearing to Andre due to his hallucinations.

Becky Williams (Gabourey Sidibe (original cast, 2015–present)

Executive assistant to Lucious Lyon at Empire Entertainment. After Jamal's promotion to Vice Chairman, Jamal promotes Becky to A&R at Empire and its sub-label, Gutter Life Records.^[7][12]

Porsha Taylor (Ta'Rhonda Jones, 2015–present)

Cookie Lyon's executive assistant.

Tiana Brown (Serayah, 2015–present)

An artist at Empire Entertainment who becomes Hakeem Lyon's girlfriend for some time.^[13] In Season 2, she leaves Empire for Lyon Dynasty. She also starts to get jealous of the relationship Hakeem has with Laura. In Season 3, her and Hakeem reconcile.

Tariq Cousins (Morocco Omari, 2016–2017)

An FBI agent and Lucious Lyon's paternal half-brother.^[14][15]

Leslie "Shine" Johnson (Xzibit, 2016–present)

Described as "100 percent wolf and 100 percent gangsta," he is a rival of Lucious Lyon.

Recurring characters

This is a list of recurring actors and the characters they portrayed in multiple episodes, which were significant roles, sometimes across multiple seasons. The characters are listed by the season in which they first appeared.

Carol Holloway (Tasha Smith, 2015–present)

Cookie Lyon's younger sister from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a recovering drug addict.^[16]

Juanita (Claudette Burchett, 2015–present)

Lucious Lyon's housekeeper.

Chicken (AzMarie Livingston, 2015–present)

A member of Hakeem Lyon's crew and a DJ.

Steve Cho (Mike Moh, 2015–2017)

Public relations employee at Empire.

Michael Sanchez (Rafael de La Fuente, 2015-2016)

Chef and Jamal Lyon's former boyfriend.^[17][18] They separate in season 1, but reunited sometime before the premiere of season 2. Michael eventually cheats on Jamal with Chase One, and they end their relationship.

Camilla Marks Whiteman (Naomi Campbell, 2015-2016)

Fashion designer and Hakeem Lyon's lover^[19] but then leaves him, later on she is announced as the wife of Mimi Whiteman in the second season.

Veronica (V. Bozeman, 2015-2016)

An artist formerly signed to Empire Entertainment.

Ryan Morgan (Eka Darville, 2015)

Documentary filmmaker, who eventually becomes a fling of Jamal's.

Agent Harlow Carter (Nealla Gordon, 2015)

FBI agent, working with Cookie Lyon.

Marcus "Bunkie" Williams (Antoine McKay, 2015)

Cookie Lyon's cousin who is killed by Lucious.

Malcolm DeVeaux (Derek Luke, 2015)^[20]

Head of Security at Empire and love interest of Cookie Lyon.

Billy Baretti (Judd Nelson, 2015)

Owner of Creedmoor Entertainment and Lucious Lyon's rival who oversaw the early years of Lucious' career.

Reverend L.C. Price (Charles Malik Whitfield, 2015)

Pastor who helps Andre.

Leah Mary Walker (Kelly Rowland, 2015-2016; then Leslie Uggams, 2016–present)

Lucious Lyon's presumed dead mother, who turned out to be living in a nursing facility. She is eventually brought to New York City by Andre, and is now living with Lucious.

Mimi Whiteman (Marisa Tomei, 2015)

Forbes billionaire and venture capitalist, who is asked by Cookie Lyon and Andre Lyon to invest $250 million in order to complete the hostile takeover of Empire. However, she instead sides with Lucious. She eventually betrays Lucious, resulting in her and her wife Camilla receiving control of Empire. She withdraws her stocks and funding from Camilla after a sex tape of her and Hakeem's affair is exposed. This results in Mimi being murdered by Camilla, who afterwards immediately commits suicide, giving Hakeem full control of Empire.

Candace Holloway-Mason (Vivica A. Fox, 2015–present)

Cookie Lyon's well-behaved but snobby and judgmental older sister. She lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Kevin (who is white), and their two children, Brianna and Franklin.

Roxanne Ford (Tyra Ferrell, 2015)^[21]

Prosecutor.

Thurson "Thirsty" Rawlings (Andre Royo, 2015–present)

Lucious Lyon's sharp lawyer who has unethical moves and a shady past.

Freda Gathers\"Freda Gatz" (Bre-z), 2015–present)

Rapper, who becomes a surrogate daughter to Lucious after the murder of her father, Frank Gathers. Lucious later sets up Freda to become Hakeem's rival.

Derek "D-Major" Major (Tobias Truvillion, 2015–present)

Music producer, who is secretly gay and Jamal's love interest.

Laz Delgado (Adam Rodriguez, 2015)

Concert promoter and love interest of Cookie Lyon, until it was revealed that he had involvement in a series of scare tactics and money schemes against Lyon Dynasty.

Laura Calleros (Jamila Velazquez, 2015-2016)

Lead singer of Mirage à Trois, who left Hakeem Lyon at the altar.

Jameson Henthrop (William Fichtner, 2015-2016)

Influential music marketing executive who helps Jamal in part because they are both representatives of the gay community.

Angelo DuBois (Taye Diggs, 2016–present)

A well-respected city councilman with a Harvard law degree and a wealthy background. He is romantically involved with Cookie Lyon.

Diana DuBois (Phylicia Rashad, 2016–present)

Angelo DuBois' mother, a powerhouse from one of New York's oldest and most prominent African-American families and mother of Angelo Dubois. She came from an impoverished background, and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Xavier Rosa (Samuel Hunt, 2016)

A&R representative at Empire.

Nessa Parker (Sierra McClain, 2016–present)^[22]

Shine's loyal protégé, who is eventually signed to Empire's roster. Andre's new lover.

Philip (Juan Antonio, 2016–present)

Runs PTSD support group and helps Jamal.

Gram (Romeo Miller, 2016)

Musician who dates Tiana and then accused of hacking Empire.

Guiliana "Giusi" Green (Nia Long, 2017)

Queenpin who runs a club in Las Vegas and make brash moves in the gangster underworld of New York City to secure a deal with Empire. She is sleek, sexy, and cold-blooded and rubs elbows with Lucious and is expected to go toe-to-toe with Cookie.

Charlotte Frost (Eva Longoria, 2017)

Director of the all-powerful state gaming commission which has the power to determine the fate of Lucious's goal of expanding Empire to Las Vegas. Andre's ex lover.

Guest stars

The following is a supplementary list of guest stars, some recurring, who appear in lesser roles. The characters are listed, in alphabetical order by actor, by the season in which they first appeared.

Dwayne "Puma" Robinson (Cuba Gooding, Jr., 2015)

Songwriter and old associate of Lucious and Cookie.

Olivia Lyon (Raven-Symoné, 2015)

Background singer and former wife of Jamal Lyon.

Jermel Stubbs (DeRay Davis, 2015)

Cousin of Cookie Lyon, who was paid to kill a former associate of the family.

Delphine (Estelle, 2015)

Superstar singer who gets signed to Empire by Lucious.

Elle Dallas (Courtney Love, 2015)

Multi-platinum rock artist and Empire Entertainment royalty, who battles with drug addiction. She is in dire need of a comeback.^[23]

Angie (Mary J. Blige, 2015)

A woman from Lucious Lyon's past.

Michelle White (Jennifer Hudson, 2015)

Music therapist and gospel singer^[24]

Frank Gathers (Chris Rock, 2015)

Drug kingpin who Lucious and Cookie Lyon worked for in the past.

Officer McKnight (Ludacris, 2015)

Security guard at Lucious' prison.

Clyde (Petey Pablo, 2015)

Prison-mate of Lucious Lyon.

Valentina Galindo (Becky G, 2015)

Aspiring singer and fling of Hakeem Lyon.

Skye Summers (Alicia Keys, 2015)

Pop singer and fling of Jamal Lyon.

Jezzy (Da Brat, 2015)

One of Cookie Lyon's prison-mates.

Pepper O'Leary (Rosie O'Donnell, 2015)

Cookie Lyon's former cellmate for over a decade.

Vaughn Cooper (French Montana, 2016)^[25]

Entertainment mogul and acquaintance of Lucious Lyon.

Kitty (Mariah Carey, 2016)

Superstar singer who works with Jamal.^[26]

Tory Ash (Rumer Willis, 2017)

Washed-up singer-songwriter who bonds with Jamal during his time in rehab.

Carlotta Brown (Queen Latifah, 2017)

Andre's New Girlfriend.

Additionally, Snoop Dogg, Sway Calloway, Anthony Hamilton, Fantastic Negrito, Gladys Knight, Rita Ora, Juicy J, Patti LaBelle, Charles Hamilton, Pitbull, Timbaland, Sharon Carpenter, Ne-Yo, Funkmaster Flex, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Jason Derulo, Lee Daniels, Montana of 300, Birdman, Remy Ma and Sticky Fingaz make appearances as themselves.

References