Empire Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV-14
TV Episode | 46 min | Drama, Music

Empire

Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

TV-14

TV Episode | 46 min | Drama, Music

Lucious Lyon, told he has a terminal illness, needs one of his family members to step up and take over his company. Meanwhile his ex-wife, recently released from prison, has plans of her own.

Showrunner

Ilene Chaiken

Director

Lee Daniels

Writers

Lee Daniels (created by) (written by) | Danny Strong (created by) (written by)

Composer

Fil Eisler

Cinematographer

Andrew Dunn

Editor

Joe Leonard

Casting Directors

Leah Daniels Butler | Claire Simon (location casting)

Production Designer

Steve Saklad

See all filmmakers & crew (215)

Edit Released

Updated Jan 7, 2015

Release date

Jan 7, 2015 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

Nominated for 8 Primetime Emmy Awards. Another 30 wins & 98 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
40 cast members

Name	Known for
Terrence Howard Lucious Lyon Lucious Lyon See fewer	Crash (I) (2004)
Bryshere Y. Gray Hakeem Lyon Hakeem Lyon See fewer	Empire (2015)
Jussie Smollett Jamal Lyon Jamal Lyon See fewer	Empire (2015)
Trai Byers Andre Lyon Andre Lyon See fewer	Empire (2015)
Grace Byers Anika Calhoun (as Grace Gealey) Anika Calhoun (as Grace Gealey) See fewer	The Blackening (2022)
Malik Yoba Vernon Turner Vernon Turner See fewer	Cool Runnings (1993)
Kaitlin Doubleday Rhonda Lyon Rhonda Lyon See fewer	Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Taraji P. Henson Cookie Lyon Cookie Lyon See fewer	The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Gabourey Sidibe Becky Becky See fewer	Precious (II) (2009)
Rafael de la Fuente Michael Sanchez Michael Sanchez See fewer	Empire (2015)
Antoine McKay Bunkie Williams Bunkie Williams See fewer	Written Off (2017)
Chris Redd Roger Roger See fewer	Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
Jennifer Joan Taylor Dr. Shahani Dr. Shahani See fewer	Derailed (I) (2005)
Carolyn Hoerdemann Prison Officer Prison Officer See fewer	Alien Brides (2013)
Genis Drake Young Jamal (as Genis Wooten) Young Jamal (as Genis Wooten) See fewer	Empire (2015)
Marcus Davis Goose Goose See fewer	Flawed: The Musical (2019)
Triston Gandy Lucious (13 Years Old) Lucious (13 Years Old) See fewer	Empire (2015)
Jamon Williams Andre (12 Years Old) Andre (12 Years Old) See fewer	Empire (2015)
Thomas Gaitsch Lawyer (as Tom Gaitsch) Lawyer (as Tom Gaitsch) See fewer	The Dark Knight (2008)
Olivia Washington Dee Dee See fewer	I'm a Virgo (2023)
Jacki Hydock Jackie (as Jacquelyn Hydock-Leweiss) Jackie (as Jacquelyn Hydock-Leweiss) See fewer	The Lobbyists (2019)
Dara Key Linda Linda See fewer	Empire (2015)
Girly Daniels Mecca (as Lydia Rooks) Mecca (as Lydia Rooks) See fewer	The Paperboy (2012)
Erica Watson Danielle Danielle See fewer	Precious (II) (2009)
Sammy Horowitz Boxer (as Samuel Horowitz) Boxer (as Samuel Horowitz) See fewer	Power Book IV: Force (2022)
Olivia Bird Bikini Dancer (uncredited) Bikini Dancer (uncredited) See fewer	The Batman (2022)
Larson Lee Brumfield Neighborhood Kid (uncredited) Neighborhood Kid (uncredited) See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)
Sharon Coleman Neighborhood Resident (uncredited) Neighborhood Resident (uncredited) See fewer	Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Alexa Farneman Bartender (uncredited) Bartender (uncredited) See fewer	The Ex-Files
Carly Gelb Club Girl (uncredited) Club Girl (uncredited) See fewer	Not Another Zombie Movie.... About the Living Dead (2014)
Heidi Heck Office Employee (uncredited) Office Employee (uncredited) See fewer	Kid Friendly (2017)
Lendale Johnson Party Goer / Model (uncredited) Party Goer / Model (uncredited) See fewer	Javon: Lay Low (2013)
Jamie Kranig Hipster (uncredited) Hipster (uncredited) See fewer	Stria (2009)
Lizzy Leigh Club Girl (uncredited) Club Girl (uncredited) See fewer	Clever Girl (2015)
William Nero Jr. Teenager (uncredited) Teenager (uncredited) See fewer	Public Enemies (2009)
Tasha Smith Carol Hardaway (uncredited) Carol Hardaway (uncredited) See fewer	The Whole Ten Yards (2004)
Summer Storm Model (uncredited) Model (uncredited) See fewer	The Darkest Minds (2018)
Amanda Trumbull Club Girl (uncredited) Club Girl (uncredited) See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)
Bradley Vargovick Board Member (uncredited) Board Member (uncredited) See fewer	1 of 13 (2012)
Barry Vaughnj Yacht Party Patron (uncredited) Yacht Party Patron (uncredited) See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)