It’s been years since the Lyons roared across our screens, but honestly, the cast of the show empire still feels like royalty in the world of television. You remember that first episode? The music was loud, the clothes were louder, and the drama was essentially Shakespeare on steroids. It wasn't just another soap opera. It was a cultural earthquake. When Empire debuted in 2015, it didn't just get good ratings; it shattered records that had been standing for decades.
Lee Daniels and Danny Strong caught lightning in a bottle. But let’s be real for a second—the script was only half the battle. Without that specific group of actors, the show would’ve likely been a footnote. Instead, it became a phenomenon.
The Lyon King and His Queen: Terrence and Taraji
Everything started with Lucious and Cookie. If you don't have chemistry there, you don't have a show. Period.
Terrence Howard played Lucious Lyon with this weird, vibrating intensity. He wasn't just a villain; he was a man who truly believed he was doing what was best for his legacy, even when he was doing objectively terrible things. Howard brought a sort of "soft-spoken menace" to the role. You never knew if he was going to hug his sons or disown them.
Then there’s Taraji P. Henson.
If Terrence was the engine, Taraji was the fuel. Cookie Lyon is, quite frankly, one of the most iconic characters in the history of the medium. Coming off her stint in Person of Interest, Henson didn't just play Cookie; she inhabited her. The fur coats, the "Goodbye, Felicia" energy, the raw vulnerability of a woman who spent 17 years in prison for a family that almost moved on without her. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in those heels. She won a Golden Globe for the role, and honestly, she deserved three more. The cast of the show empire revolved around her orbit, and when she wasn't on screen, you felt the dip in energy.
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
The Three Sons: More Than Just Backups
The show's central premise was a succession battle. Three sons, one throne. It could’ve been cheesy, but the casting of the three brothers gave the show its heart.
Bryshere Y. Gray (Hakeem): He was a real-life rapper (Yazz the Greatest) before the show. This mattered. His flow was authentic. Hakeem was the spoiled youngest child, but Gray played him with a desperate need for Lucious’s approval that made him sympathetic even when he was being a brat.
Jussie Smollett (Jamal): Before the real-world controversies that eventually overshadowed the show, Jamal Lyon was the soul of Empire. His musical talent was the most polished, and his storyline as a gay man in the hyper-masculine world of hip-hop was groundbreaking at the time. His duets with guest stars or even just his solo piano ballads were often the highlights of the soundtrack.
Trai Byers (Andre): Andre was the "suit." He didn't sing. He didn't rap. In a musical drama, that’s a tough spot to be in. Yet, Byers arguably gave the strongest acting performance of the three. His portrayal of bipolar disorder was handled with a level of gravity that grounded the show's more "soapy" elements. It wasn't just a plot point; it was a grueling, realistic depiction of mental health struggles in a high-stakes environment.
The Supporting Players and the "Special Sauce"
You can't talk about the cast of the show empire without mentioning the people in the periphery who stole scenes.
👉 See also: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Gabourey Sidibe as Becky Williams was a stroke of genius. Originally a small role, Becky became the audience surrogate—the person actually doing the work while the Lyons fought over the crown. Ta'Rhonda Jones, who played Porsha, brought a comedic timing that the show desperately needed when things got too dark.
And then there were the guest stars.
The show became a "who's who" of black excellence and Hollywood royalty. Courtney Love showed up as a hard-partying rock star. Naomi Campbell was a cougar fashion mogul. Even Mariah Carey and Gladys Knight stopped by. It felt like an event every week. If you were a big name in the industry, you wanted to be on Empire.
Why the Chemistry Eventually Frayed
Nothing stays gold forever. The show’s decline is often discussed in television circles as a cautionary tale. By the fourth and fifth seasons, the writing got a bit erratic. Characters would change motivations overnight. But the real blow to the cast of the show empire was the Jussie Smollett incident in 2019.
It’s impossible to separate the show's legacy from that moment. The legal drama and the subsequent fallout led to Jamal being written out of the final season entirely. The dynamic was broken. The "Three Sons" triangle was gone, and the show felt lopsided. The final season was even cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many fans feeling like the Lyons didn't get the goodbye they deserved.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The Lasting Impact on Television
Despite the messy ending, the impact of this cast is undeniable. Before Empire, there was a prevailing (and racist) myth in Hollywood that shows with predominantly Black casts wouldn't travel well internationally or appeal to a "broad" audience.
Empire nuked that myth.
It showed that high-gloss, high-budget prestige drama with a Black family at the center could be a global powerhouse. It paved the way for shows like Power, Succession (which shares many DNA strands with the Lyon family drama), and Pose.
The actors have moved on to varied careers. Taraji continues to be a force in film and television, most recently appearing in The Color Purple musical. Trai Byers and Grace Byers (who played Anika) actually got married in real life, which is a lovely "happily ever after" for a show that was so full of betrayal.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to revisit the magic of the Lyon family or understand why the cast of the show empire was so special, don't just read about it.
- Watch the "Drip Drop" or "You're So Beautiful" performances: Music producer Timbaland was the secret member of the cast for the first few seasons. The music holds up surprisingly well.
- Track the "Succession" parallels: If you're a fan of the HBO show Succession, re-watch the first season of Empire. The similarities in how Lucious and Logan Roy manipulate their children are fascinating.
- Look for the guest spots: Keep an eye out for then-unknown actors who popped up in minor roles; the show was a major launching pad for many in the industry today.
The Lyon family might be off the air, but their influence on the "Golden Age of TV" is permanent. It was loud, it was messy, and for a few years, it was the only thing anyone wanted to talk about at the water cooler.