Empire season 1
Empire | |
---|---|
Season 1 | |
![]() DVD cover | |
Starring | |
No. of episodes | 12 |
Release | |
Original network | Fox |
Original release | January 7 March 18, 2015 | –
Season chronology | |
The first season of the American television series Empire premiered on January 7, 2015, and concluded on March 18, 2015, on Fox.[1] The series centers around a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders' family as they fight for control. The show aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm ET. The season consisted of 12 episodes.
The first episode was watched by 9.90 million viewers and achieved an adult 18-49 rating/share of 3.8/11, making it the biggest series launch for the network since Touch premiered in 2012.[2] The viewership of the series rose every single week, with the season finale, which aired on March 18, 2015, being watched by 17.62 million viewers and achieving an adult 18-49 rating/share of 6.9/21.[3]
Premise
The show centers around a 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.
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon
- Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon
- Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon
- Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon
- Trai Byers as Andre Lyon
- Grace Gealey as Anika Calhoun
- Malik Yoba as Vernon Turner
- Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon
Recurring cast
- Gabourey Sidibe as Becky Williams
- Rafael de la Fuente as Michael Sanchez
- Tasha Smith as Carol Hardaway
- Serayah as Tiana Brown
- Damon Gupton as Detective Calvin Walker
- Nealla Gordon as Agent Harlow Carter
- Ta'Rhonda Jones as Porsha Taylor
- AzMarie Livingston as Chicken
- Naomi Campbell as Camilla Marks
- Judd Nelson as Billy Baretti
- Derek Luke as Malcolm DeVeaux
Guest appearances
- Raven-Symoné as Olivia Lyon
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dwayne "Puma" Robinson
- Gladys Knight as herself
- Anthony Hamilton as himself
- Sway Calloway as himself
- DeRay Davis as Jermel
- Estelle as Delphine
- Mary J. Blige as Angie
- Snoop Dogg as himself
- Rita Ora as herself
- Juicy J as himself
- Patti LaBelle as herself
- Charles Hamilton as himself
Production
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/-Hidden_Figures-_Film_Celebration_%28NHQ201612100020%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px--Hidden_Figures-_Film_Celebration_%28NHQ201612100020%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Casting
Howard was cast in the lead on February 19, 2014.[4] Henson was named as the female lead on February 26, and Jussie Smollett was announced in a starring role.[5] Howard and Henson previously starred together as love interests in the film Hustle & Flow.[5] On March 10, 2014, Sidibe, who had previously worked with Daniels in Precious, was cast in a recurring role as Becky, Lucious' assistant. Trai Byers and Grace Gealey were announced in regular roles, while Bryshere Y. Gray and Malik Yoba were announced in starring roles.[6] Courtney Love was added to the cast on October 23.[7] Naomi Campbell was announced in a recurring role on September 29.[8]
Episodes
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Lee Daniels | Lee Daniels & Danny Strong | January 7, 2015 | 1AXP01 | 9.90[9] |
2 | 2 | "The Outspoken King" | Lee Daniels | Danny Strong & Ilene Chaiken | January 14, 2015 | 1AXP02 | 10.32[10] |
3 | 3 | "The Devil Quotes Scripture" | Sanaa Hamri | Ilene Chaiken & Joshua Allen | January 21, 2015 | 1AXP03 | 11.07[11] |
4 | 4 | "False Imposition" | Rosemary Rodriguez | Wendy Calhoun | January 28, 2015 | 1AXP04 | 11.36[12] |
5 | 5 | "Dangerous Bonds" | John Singleton | Malcolm Spellman | February 4, 2015 | 1AXP05 | 11.47[13] |
6 | 6 | "Out, Damned Spot" | Michael Engler | Eric Haywood | February 11, 2015 | 1AXP06 | 11.96[14] |
7 | 7 | "Our Dancing Days" | Sanaa Hamri | Attica Locke | February 18, 2015 | 1AXP07 | 13.02[15] |
8 | 8 | "The Lyon's Roar" | Danny Strong | Danny Strong | February 25, 2015 | 1AXP08 | 13.90[16] |
9 | 9 | "Unto the Breach" | Anthony Hemingway | David Rambo | March 4, 2015 | 1AXP09 | 14.33[17] |
10 | 10 | "Sins of the Father" | Rob Hardy | Eddie Gonzalez & Jeremy Haft | March 11, 2015 | 1AXP10 | 14.90[18] |
11 | 11 | "Die But Once" | Mario Van Peebles | Ilene Chaiken | March 18, 2015 | 1AXP11 | 15.82[19] |
12 | 12 | "Who I Am" | Debbie Allen | Danny Strong & Ilene Chaiken | March 18, 2015 | 1AXP12 | 17.62[19] |
Reception
Critical response
Empire was well received by critics, with most praising Taraji's performance as Cookie.[20][21][22] On Rotten Tomatoes the show got a rating of 80% fresh based on 49 reviews.[23]
Season 1 (2015): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes[24] |
Live + SD ratings
No. in series |
No. in season |
Episode | Air date | Time slot (EST) | Rating/Share (18–49) | Viewers (m) | 18–49 Rank | Viewership rank | Drama rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Pilot" | January 7, 2015 | Wednesdays 9:00 p.m. |
3.8/11[9] | 9.90[9] | 5[25] | 17[25] | 1[25] |
2 | 2 | "The Outspoken King" | January 14, 2015 | 4.0/12[10] | 10.32[10] | 2[26] | 11[26] | 1[26] | |
3 | 3 | "The Devil Quotes Scripture" | January 21, 2015 | 4.4/13[11] | 11.07[11] | 1[27] | 5[27] | 1[27] | |
4 | 4 | "False Imposition" | January 28, 2015 | 4.3/12[12] | 11.36[12] | 5[28] | 9[28] | 2[28] | |
5 | 5 | "Dangerous Bonds" | February 4, 2015 | 4.6/14[13] | 11.47[13] | 3[29] | 6[29] | 1[29] | |
6 | 6 | "Out, Damned Spot" | February 11, 2015 | 4.8/14[14] | 11.96[14] | 2[30] | 4[30] | 1[30] | |
7 | 7 | "Our Dancing Days" | February 18, 2015 | 5.2/15[15] | 13.02[15] | 3[31] | 9[31] | 1[31] | |
8 | 8 | "The Lyon’s Roar" | February 25, 2015 | 5.4/15[16] | 13.90[16] | 1[32] | 5[32] | 1[32] | |
9 | 9 | "Unto the Breach" | March 4, 2015 | 5.8/17[17] | 14.33[17] | 1[33] | 4[33] | 1[33] | |
10 | 10 | "Sins of the Father" | March 11, 2015 | 5.8/17[18] | 14.90[18] | 1[34] | 3[34] | 1[34] | |
11 | 11 | "Die But Once" | March 18, 2015 | 8:00 p.m. | 6.1/21[19] | 15.82[19] | 2[35] | 2[35] | 2[35] |
12 | 12 | "Who I Am" | March 18, 2015 | 9:00 p.m. | 6.9/21[19] | 17.62[19] | 1[35] | 1[35] | 1[35] |
Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings
No. in series |
No. in season |
Episode | Air date | Time slot (EST) | 18–49 rating increase |
Viewers (millions) increase |
Total 18-49 | Total viewers (millions) |
Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Pilot" | January 7, 2015 | Wednesdays 9:00 p.m. |
1.8 | 4.05 | 5.6 | 13.95 | [36] |
2 | 2 | "The Outspoken King" | January 14, 2015 | 1.6 | 3.69 | 5.6 | 14.01 | [37] | |
3 | 3 | "The Devil Quotes Scripture" | January 21, 2015 | 1.9 | 4.06 | 6.3 | 15.13 | [38] | |
4 | 4 | "False Imposition" | January 28, 2015 | 1.8 | 3.69 | 6.1 | 15.04 | [39] | |
5 | 5 | "Dangerous Bonds" | February 4, 2015 | 2.0 | 4.21 | 6.6 | 15.68 | [40] | |
6 | 6 | "Out, Damned Spot" | February 11, 2015 | 1.8 | 4.14 | 6.6 | 16.10 | [41] | |
7 | 7 | "Our Dancing Days" | February 18, 2015 | 2.3 | 5.14 | 7.5 | 18.16 | [42] | |
8 | 8 | "The Lyon’s Roar" | February 25, 2015 | 2.3 | 5.08 | 7.7 | 18.98 | [43] | |
9 | 9 | "Unto the Breach" | March 4, 2015 | 2.5 | 5.35 | 8.3 | 19.68 | [44] | |
10 | 10 | "Sins of the Father" | March 11, 2015 | 2.7 | 5.70 | 8.5 | 20.63 | [45] | |
11 | 11 | "Die But Once" | March 18, 2015 | 8:00 p.m. | 2.6 | 5.74 | 8.7 | 21.56 | [46] |
12 | 12 | "Who I Am" | March 18, 2015 | 9:00 p.m. | 2.4 | 5.49 | 9.3 | 23.12 | [47] |
References
- ^ "American Idol Return, Empire Series Debut Date Set at Fox" (Press release). TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. November 19, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
- ^ "'Empire' is Fox's highest-rated new show in years". Entertainment Weekly (Press release). Time Inc. January 8, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
- ^ "'Empire' Finale Ratings Rise Even More, Best New Series Result In 10 Years – Update" (Press release). Deadline.com. March 19, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley and Philiana Ng (February 19, 2014). "Terrence Howard to Star in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (February 26, 2014). "Taraji P. Henson Nabs Female Lead in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 10, 2014). "Gabourey Sidibe Reunites With Lee Daniels on Fox's 'Empire'". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ "Courtney Love Joins EMPIRE, Premiering January 2015 on FOX". Broadway World. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 29, 2014). "Naomi Campbell Joins Lee Daniels' Fox Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (January 9, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: No Adjustments Beyond Previously Released Increases for 'Empire' & 'American Idol'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (January 16, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' & 'The Mentalist' Adjusted Up; 'The Mysteries of Laura' and 'black-ish' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (January 22, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'American Idol', 'Criminal Minds' & 'Law & Order: SVU' Adjusted Up; 'The 100 Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (January 29, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Stalker' & 'The 100' Adjusted Down; No Adjustment for 'Empire'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
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- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (February 12, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'Arrow' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'The Goldbergs', 'The 100', 'The Mentalist', 'The Mysteries of Laura', 'black-ish' & 'Criminal Minds' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (February 19, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'Arrow', 'American Idol' & 'Modern Family' Adjusted Up; 'The 100' & 'Stalker' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (February 26, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire', 'American Idol', 'Suvivor' & 'Arrow' Adjusted Up; 'The 100', 'black-ish' & 'Nashville' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (March 5, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (March 12, 2015). "'Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Empire' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'CSI: Cyber' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Bibel, Sara (March 19, 2015). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Arrow' & 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; 'Supernatural' Adjusted Down & Final 'Empire' Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ Alston, Joshua (January 7, 2015). "Empire: "Pilot"". The A.V. Club. The Onion, Inc. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ Vassell, Nicole (April 28, 2015). "Empire, episode 1, review: 'simmering with potential'". The Telegraph. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Empire: Season 1 Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. Warner Bros. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ "Empire: Season 1 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Warner Bros. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
- ^ "Empire: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
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- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (January 27, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops Adults 18–49, 'Scorpion' Leads Total Viewers for the Week Ending January 25, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (February 3, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Super Bowl Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 1, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
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- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (February 18, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 8, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (February 24, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Academy Awards Telecast Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending February 22, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (March 3, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'NCIS' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 1, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (March 10, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'The Big Bang Theory' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 8, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (March 17, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops With Adults 18–49, 'The Big Bang Theory' Wins With Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 15, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2015). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Empire' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending March 22, 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (January 25, 2015). "'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Modern Family' Have Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge' Tops Percentage Gains & 'The Big Bang Theory' Grows Most in Viewership in Live +7 Ratings for Week 15 Ending January 4". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (February 2, 2015). "'Modern Family' Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge', 'Forever' & 'State of Affairs' Top Percentage Gainers & 'Castle' Grows Most in Viewership in Live +7 Ratings for Week 17 Ending January 18". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 9, 2015). "'Empire' Notches Biggest Adults 18-49 Increase, 'Revenge' Leads Percentage Gainers & 'Elementary' Tops Viewership Gains in Live +7 Ratings for Week 18 Ending January 25". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (February 17, 2015). "'The Big Bang Theory' Notches Biggest Adults 18-49 & Viewership Increase, 'Hart of Dixie' Top Percentage Gainers in Live +7 Ratings for Week 18 Ending February 1". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 23, 2015). "'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains, 'Glee' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 20 Ending February 8". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (March 2, 2015). "'Modern Family' Leads Adults 18-49 Gains, 'The Blacklist' Tops Percentage Increases & Viewer Growth in Live +7 Ratings for Week 21 Ending February 15". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 9, 2015). "'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains + 'The Blacklist' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Ratings for Week 22 Ending February 22". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
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