Fox hit drama “Empire” will return for an 18-episode second season on Wednesday, September 23.
Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie on the hip-hop soap opera, broke the news on Twitter Friday morning.
The official Empire’s Writers Twitter account quickly confirmed the news.
As TheWrap previously reported, Season 2 of “Empire” will expand from 12 to 18 episodes, split into two cycles.
Comedian Chris Rock and singers Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz have signed on to guest-star on the show’s second season.
Academy-Amward nominee Gabourey Sidibe (“Becky”) and actress Ta’Rhonda Jones (“Porsha”) have been elevated to full-fledged series regulars.
The show drew an average of 16.7 million viewers for its two-hour Season 1 finale in March. It also scored a whopping 6.5 rating/20 share in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic.
Hello! September 23 #Empire season https://t.co/NWr7SmWk8a
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) May 29, 2015
#Empire fans! @EmpireFOX Season 2 returns Wednesday, September 23, 2015! #MarkYourCalendars #GameTimeBitches pic.twitter.com/hEtN5TfLBV
— Empire Writers (@EmpireWriters) May 29, 2015