Lee Daniels’ ‘Empire’ Headed to the UK’s E4 Channel in Spring

Empire Cast 1b

Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon and Terrance Howard as Lucious Lyon on 'Empire' Season 1

Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon and Terrance Howard as Lucious Lyon on ‘Empire’ Season 1

The UK’s E4 channel has picked up Lee Daniels and Danny Strong ‘s hit FOX hip-hop drama Empire , which will premiere this spring.

“Empire has been a record breaking hit in the US,” said Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, Jay Hunt . It’s grown and grown as audiences have fallen in love with its unforgettable characters and soundtrack. I’m delighted it’s coming to E4.”

Steve Cornish , Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, added: “We are delighted to be working with E4 on Empire, the hottest new show on American television – it is the perfect home for the series. Viewers will be captivated by this ground breaking drama. We anticipate it will become as big of a hit with UK audiences, as it has with TV viewers in the US.”

Starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson , the 12-episode hour-long series debuted in the U.S. on FOX on January 7, 2015.

Within a month, Empire broke a 23-year ratings record as the only primetime scripted series to grow in total viewers over each of its first five telecasts since at least 1991 in the U.S.

Delving into heavy subjects, from homophobia to mortality, the show centers on Lucious Lyon (Terrance), a drug dealer turned music mogul.

When he is diagnosed with ALS, his empire is up for grabs between Cookie Lyon (Taraji), his fresh-out-of-prison ex-wife and their three sons: Andre ( Trai Byers ), Jamal ( Jussie Smollett ), and Hakeem ( Bryshere Y. Gray ).

Its cast also includes Grace Gealey, Malik Yoba, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Gabourey Sidibe, Rafael de la Fuente, Serayah, Derek Luke, Naomi Campbell and Tasha Smith .

The show is set to original music performed by the actors and produced by Timbaland , Jim Beanz, Justin Bostwick, Raphael Saadiq, Jazze Pha, Tricky Stewart, Sharif “Reefa” Slater , and Johnny Black .

Most songs ended up on the first season soundtrack , which debuted on at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in March.

Watch FOX’s cleverly-produced “Behind The Music”-style series for Empire below.

[via shadowandact ]

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