Empire TV Show Release Date and Series Overview
The empire tv show release date for the original series premiere was January 7, 2015, on Fox. The series was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, and it centers on the fictional hip-hop music and entertainment company Empire Entertainment. The show ran for six seasons, concluding with a two-hour series finale on April 21, 2020. The series starred Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, and it became one of the highest-rated new dramas on broadcast television during its first season. For more background on the show's premise, see the Fox Broadcasting Company overview page here.
As of the newest available public data, there is no official renewal announcement for an empire tv show release date for a seventh season or a direct continuation series on Fox or any other major network. The show's final season, Season 6, aired its last episode on April 21, 2020. The series finale wrapped up the storylines of the Lyon family and their music empire. All six seasons are currently available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States, according to the platforms' current content libraries.
Cast, Characters, and Key Production Details
The main cast of Empire included Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, and Trai Byers as Andre Lyon. Other central characters were played by Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon and Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon. The show was produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television, and Lee Daniels Entertainment. Empire was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California, and its theme music was composed by Jimmie Allen and Timbaland. The series generated several spin-off discussions, but none moved past the development stage as of the latest updates.
Empire received numerous award nominations throughout its run, including nods at the NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. The show was praised for its representation of African American characters in the music industry and its dramatic storylines. At its peak, Empire ranked among the top five most-watched scripted series on American broadcast television. The series also spawned a real-world music album, "Empire: The Soundtrack," which charted on the Billboard 200. For a detailed cast and crew breakdown, refer to the IMDb page here.
Where to Watch Empire Now and Streaming Availability
All six seasons of Empire are currently available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. The show is also included in the Disney+ streaming bundle in the United States, giving subscribers access to the full series library. Episodes can be purchased or rented digitally on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. The series is not currently airing on traditional cable or broadcast television in reruns as a dedicated syndication package.
For viewers outside the United States, Empire may be available on local Disney+ or Star+ catalogs depending on the region, but availability changes based on licensing agreements. The show's final season, Season 6, consists of 20 episodes split into two parts. The first part aired from September 24, 2019, to November 19, 2019, and the second part aired from March 3, 2020, to April 21, 2020. To check the latest streaming availability and any new related projects, visit the official Disney+ content page here.