List of Empire characters - wikipedia List of Empire characters This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2017 ) Empire is an American musical drama television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong which debuted on January 7, 2015 on but began in late 2014. Fox. Although filmed in Chicago, the show is based in New York and it centers on a fictional 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. Contents 1 Main characters 2 Recurring characters 3 Guest stars 4 References Main characters Actor Character Seasons Terrence Howard Lucious Lyon Main Taraji P. Henson Cookie Lyon Main Bryshere Y. Gray Hakeem Lyon Main Jussie Smollett Jamal Lyon Main Trai Byers Andre Lyon Main Grace Byers Anika Calhoun Main Malik Yoba Vernon Turner Main Kaitlin Doubleday Rhonda Lyon Main Recurring Guest Gabourey Sidibe Becky Williams Recurring Main Ta'Rhonda Jones Porsha Taylor Recurring Main Serayah Tiana Brown Recurring Main Morocco Omari Tariq Cousins Recurring Main Bre - Z Freda Gatz Recurring Main Xzibit Shyne Johnson Guest Main Andre Royo Thirsty Rawlings Recurring Main Rumer Willis Tory Ash Recurring Main Terrell Carter Warren Hall Guest Main Lucious Lyon ( Terrence Howard ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) A former drug dealer turned hip hop mogul and the founder and long - time CEO of Empire Entertainment whose life begins to cave in around him after his past sins come back to haunt him when allegedly diagnosed with ALS. Loretha `` Cookie '' Holloway Lyon ( Taraji P. Henson ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) Lucious Lyon 's outspoken ex-wife and mother of his three sons, who served a 17 - year stretch in prison for drug dealing. She sees herself as the sacrificial lamb for Empire Entertainment, which she built with Lucious, but then took the fall for when she was arrested for running the drugs that financed Lucious ' early career. Upon her return from prison, she is determined to bring the Lyon family back together and reclaim her share of Empire Entertainment. In the second season, Cookie leaves Empire and starts her own record label, Lyon Dynasty. After allowing Empire Entertainment to acquire Lyon Dynasty, she returns to Empire as co-CEO with Lucious and Head of A&R. Cookie 's love interests are Malcolm DeVeaux, Laz Delgado ( Season 2 ) and Angelo DuBois ( Season 3 ). Andre Lyon ( Trai Byers ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) The eldest son of the Lyon family and CFO of Empire Entertainment. He is Wharton educated, power hungry, and suffers from bipolar disorder. He is married to his college sweetheart, Rhonda. He plans to run Empire, but is in a battle for the head chair with his younger brothers. In the second season, Andre initially helps Cookie and Hakeem set up Lyon Dynasty, but later returns to Empire. Lucious later promotes Andre to President of Gutter Life Records, a sub-division of Empire Entertainment consisting of mainly urban rappers, such as Freda Gatz. In Season 3 & 4, he loses his wife and becomes Nessa, Charlotte & Pamela 's new lovers. Jamal Lyon ( Jussie Smollett ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) The middle son of the Lyon family, an openly gay singer - songwriter who despises the corporate aspect of the music industry. He is estranged from his father who considers him the `` black sheep '' of the family. Jamal is Cookie 's favorite and has a strong relationship with his brother Hakeem. At the end of the first season, Lucious appoints Jamal as his successor and, later, interim CEO when he is arrested. He later relinquishes control of Empire back to Lucious. After being shot accidentally by Freda Gatz in Season 2, Jamal begins to present symptoms of PTSD and reliance on painkillers. His addiction ultimately leads to a visit to rehab. Hakeem Lyon ( Bryshere Y. Gray ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) The fame - obsessed youngest son of the Lyon family and Lucious 's favorite child, who is a hip hop star on the rise. Hakeem starts to find feelings for his mother, Cookie, and has a great relationship with Jamal. He has relationships with Tiana Brown, Camilla Marks, Anika Calhoun, Valentina, and Laura. Anika Calhoun Lyon ( Grace Byers ( original cast ), 2015 -- 2018 ) Initially the ambitious head of Empire Entertainment A&R who becomes engaged to Lucious, but they eventually separate. After leaving Empire, Anika begins to sleep with Hakeem, leading to Anika 's pregnancy. Fearful of Rhonda 's pregnancy and the unborn child 's claim to being the Heir of Empire, Anika pushes Rhonda down a set of stairs, leading to the death of her unborn child. Cookie and Anika share an extreme dislike for one another, with Cookie referring to Anika as the derisive nickname `` Boo Boo Kitty ''. Anika meets her demise in the Season 4 finale after Andre drugs her to guilt her for all the wrong she 's done. Like Andre, Anika hallucinates Rhonda and tries to run from her, but she accidentally falls over a balcony and onto a table full of wine glasses, killing her. Vernon Turner ( Malik Yoba ( original cast ), 2015 ) Lucious Lyon 's longtime friend and business partner, and chairman of Empire Entertainment. He was accidentally murdered by Rhonda in the season one finale. Rhonda Lyon ( Kaitlin Doubleday ( original cast ), 2015 - 2016, 2018 ) Andre 's wife. She is a ride or die type of woman, who is extremely fierce and loyal, and sticks by Andre 's side as he tries to gain control of Empire. In the first - season finale, she finds out that she is pregnant, but the baby eventually dies in the second season spring premiere, after Anika violently pushed her down the stairs in the second season fall finale. After her recovery, Rhonda begins to work for Empire 's fashion label, Antony and Cleopatra, initially headed by Camilla Marks - Whiteman. After Camilla 's suicide, Rhonda is appointed Creative Director of Antony and Cleopatra. In the third - season premiere, she falls off of a building and lands onto a car, leading to her death, after attacking Anika. She makes a few appearances in the first half of the third season as a `` ghost '' ; appearing to Andre due to his hallucinations. In the Season 4 finale, she returns as a hallucination to Anika this time as a result of Andre drugging her ; leading up to her own tragic death in a similar scenario Rhonda faced. `` Rhonda '' gazes upon the dying Anika and vanishes before her eyes. Rebecca `` Becky '' Williams ( Gabourey Sidibe ( original cast ), 2015 -- present ) Executive assistant to Lucious Lyon at Empire Entertainment. After Jamal 's promotion to Vice Chairman, Jamal promotes Becky to A&R at Empire and its sub-label, Gutter Life Records. Porsha Taylor ( Ta'Rhonda Jones, 2015 -- present ) Cookie Lyon 's executive assistant. Tiana Brown ( Serayah, 2015 -- present ) An artist at Empire Entertainment who becomes Hakeem Lyon 's girlfriend for some time. In Season 2, she leaves Empire for Lyon Dynasty. She also starts to get jealous of the relationship Hakeem has with Laura. In Season 3, her and Hakeem reconcile. Tariq Cousins ( Morocco Omari, 2016 -- 2017 ) An FBI agent and Lucious Lyon 's paternal half - brother. Leslie `` Shine '' Johnson ( Xzibit, 2016 -- 2018 ) Described as `` 100 percent wolf and 100 percent gangsta, '' he is a rival of Lucious Lyon. Recurring characters This is a list of recurring actors and the characters they portrayed in multiple episodes, which were significant roles, sometimes across multiple seasons. The characters are listed by the season in which they first appeared. Carol Holloway ( Tasha Smith, 2015 -- present ) Cookie Lyon 's younger sister from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a recovering drug addict. Juanita ( Claudette Burchett, 2015 -- present ) Lucious Lyon 's housekeeper. Chicken ( AzMarie Livingston, 2015 -- present ) A member of Hakeem Lyon 's crew and a DJ. Steve Cho ( Mike Moh, 2015 -- 2017 ) Public relations employee at Empire. Michael Sanchez ( Rafael de la Fuente, 2015 - 2016 ) Chef and Jamal Lyon 's former boyfriend. They separate in season 1, but reunited sometime before the premiere of season 2. Michael eventually cheats on Jamal with Chase One, and they end their relationship. Camilla Marks Whiteman ( Naomi Campbell, 2015 - 2016 ) Fashion designer and Hakeem Lyon 's lover but then leaves him, later on she is announced as the wife of Mimi Whiteman in the second season. Veronica ( V. Bozeman, 2015 - 2017 ) An artist formerly signed to Empire Entertainment. Ryan Morgan ( Eka Darville, 2015 ) Documentary filmmaker, who eventually becomes a fling of Jamal 's. Agent Harlow Carter ( Nealla Gordon, 2015 ) FBI agent, working with Cookie Lyon. Marcus `` Bunkie '' Williams ( Antoine McKay, 2015 ) Cookie Lyon 's cousin who is killed by Lucious. Malcolm DeVeaux ( Derek Luke, 2015 ) Head of Security at Empire and love interest of Cookie Lyon. Billy Baretti ( Judd Nelson, 2015 ) Owner of Creedmoor Entertainment and Lucious Lyon 's rival who oversaw the early years of Lucious ' career. Reverend L.C. Price ( Charles Malik Whitfield, 2015, 2018 ) Pastor who helps Andre. Leonard Bernstein ( Will Kinnear, 2015 - 2017 ) Empire board member. Edna ( Sara Sevigny, 2015 - 2017 ) Empire board member. Leah Mary Walker ( Kelly Rowland, 2015 - 2016 ( flashbacks ) ; Leslie Uggams, 2016 -- present ) Lucious Lyon 's presumed dead mother, who turned out to be living in a nursing facility. She is eventually brought to New York City by Andre, and is now living with Lucious. Mimi Whiteman ( Marisa Tomei, 2015 ) Forbes billionaire and venture capitalist, who is asked by Cookie Lyon and Andre Lyon to invest $250 million in order to complete the hostile takeover of Empire. However, she instead sides with Lucious. She eventually betrays Lucious, resulting in her and her wife Camilla receiving control of Empire. She withdraws her stocks and funding from Camilla after a sex tape of her and Hakeem 's affair is exposed. This results in Mimi being murdered by Camilla, who afterwards immediately commits suicide, giving Hakeem full control of Empire. Candace Holloway - Mason ( Vivica A. Fox, 2015 -- present ) Cookie Lyon 's well - behaved but snobby and judgmental older sister. She lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Kevin ( who is white ), and their two children, Brianna and Franklin. Roxanne Ford ( Tyra Ferrell, 2015 ) Prosecutor. Thurson `` Thirsty '' Rawlings ( Andre Royo, 2015 -- present ) Lucious Lyon 's sharp lawyer who has unethical moves and a shady past. Freda Gathers `` Freda Gatz '' ( Bre - z, 2015 -- 2017 ) Rapper, who becomes a surrogate daughter to Lucious after the murder of her father, Frank Gathers. Lucious later sets up Freda to become Hakeem 's rival. Derek `` D - Major '' Major ( Tobias Truvillion, 2015 -- p2017 ) Music producer, who is secretly gay and Jamal 's love interest. Laz Delgado ( Adam Rodriguez, 2015 ) Concert promoter and love interest of Cookie Lyon, until it was revealed that he had involvement in a series of scare tactics and money schemes against Lyon Dynasty. Laura Calleros ( Jamila Velazquez, 2015 - 2016 ) Lead singer of Mirage à Trois, who left Hakeem Lyon at the altar. Jameson Henthrop ( William Fichtner, 2015 - 2016 ) Influential music marketing executive who helps Jamal in part because they are both representatives of the gay community. Angelo DuBois ( Taye Diggs, 2016 -- 2017 ) A well - respected city councilman with a Harvard law degree and a wealthy background. He was romantically involved with Cookie Lyon. He later breaks up and willingly follows his mother to plot against the Lyons. He tries to kill his cousin Warren for betraying the family and siding with the Lyons, then Jamal only to be fatally shot when Jamal tries to defend himself. Diana DuBois ( Phylicia Rashad, 2016 -- 2017 ) Angelo DuBois ' mother, a powerhouse from one of New York 's oldest and most prominent African - American families. She came from an impoverished background, and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She was arrested for her involvement in the kidnapping of Bella Lyon. Xavier Rosen ( Samuel Hunt, 2016 ) A&R representative at Empire. Nessa Parker ( Sierra McClain, 2016 -- 2018 ) Shine 's loyal protégé, who is eventually signed to Empire 's roster. Andre 's new lover. Philip ( Juan Antonio, 2016 -- 2017 ) Runs PTSD support group and helps Jamal. Dates Jamal. Gram ( Romeo Miller, 2016 ) Musician who dates Tiana and then accused of hacking Empire. Guiliana `` Giusi '' Green ( Nia Long, 2017 ) Queenpin who runs a club in Las Vegas and make brash moves in the gangster underworld of New York City to secure a deal with Empire. She is sleek, sexy, and cold - blooded and rubs elbows with Lucious and is expected to go toe - to - toe with Cookie. Charlotte Frost ( Eva Longoria, 2017 ) Director of the all - powerful state gaming commission which has the power to determine the fate of Lucious 's goal of expanding Empire to Las Vegas. Andre 's ex lover. Tory Ash ( Rumer Willis, 2016 -- 2018 ) A singer - songwriter who bonds with Jamal during his time in rehab. She is a musician and was a big star, until she stripped down in Dealy Plaza and almost overdosed in a dingy motel room. Tory was introduced a smart mouth and begins to go toe to toe with Cookie Lyon. She has made many references to her past drugs life and says many drug jokes that Jamal Lyon does n't find funny. She dies in the hospital after an overdose. Warren Hall ( Terrell Carter, 2017 -- present ) The attorney - musician nephew of the duplicitous Lyon - hater Diana DuBois, that she sent to seduce Jamal. How will Diana react when Warren ( inevitably ) develops real feelings for Jamal and what will Jamal do when he discovers that his new boyfriend is actually a dreaded Dubois ? Pamela Rose ( Teyonah Parris, 2017 ) An NYPD detective and liaison. She is first seen at a bar and has sex with Andre before she is later revealed as NYPD liaison and seen with the Vegas Metro detectives about Guiliana Green 's disappearance. She and Andre engage in a sexual relationship, but when he reveals he ordered the car bomb to kill Lucious, she reveals she is really with Vegas Metro and played him all this time, leading to a scuffle where Andre inadvertently kills her. Then Pamela is revealed a complete hallucination caused by psycho - active drugs given to by his therapist, who was secretly in league with the DuBois family. Eddie Barker ( Forest Whitaker, 2017 - present ) A charismatic music icon and bondafide hitmaker, who gave Lucious Lyon his first radio airplay. Giselle Barker ( Nicole Ari Parker, 2017 - present ) The beautiful trophy ex-wife of Eddie Barker. Maya ( Rhyon Nicole Brown, 2018 ) The daughter of Poundcake, Cookie Lyon 's fellow inmate. Maya was born in prison, stolen from her mother 's arms, and adopted by upper middle - class parents. A classically trained dancer, she 's beautiful, graceful, and headstrong. Mercedes ( Porscha Coleman, 2018 ) Porsha 's sexy and ambitious cousin. She has a street - hustle mentality and looks to exploit any avenue she can to jumpstart her budding singing / rap career. Renee Holloway ( Alfre Woodard, 2018 ) Cookie Lyon 's estranged mother, who returns for a turbulent reunion. She is a photographer. Guest stars The following is a supplementary list of guest stars, some recurring, who appear in lesser roles. The characters are listed, in alphabetical order by actor, by the season in which they first appeared. Dwayne `` Puma '' Robinson ( Cuba Gooding, Jr., 2015 ) Songwriter and old associate of Lucious and Cookie. Olivia Lyon ( Raven - Symoné, 2015 ) Background singer and former wife of Jamal Lyon. Jermel Stubbs ( DeRay Davis, 2015 ) Cousin of Cookie Lyon, who was paid to kill a former associate of the family. Delphine ( Estelle, 2015 ) Superstar singer who gets signed to Empire by Lucious. Elle Dallas ( Courtney Love, 2015 ) Multi-platinum rock artist and Empire Entertainment royalty, who battles with drug addiction. She is in dire need of a comeback. Angie ( Mary J. Blige, 2015 ) A woman from Lucious Lyon 's past. Michelle White ( Jennifer Hudson, 2015 ) Music therapist and gospel singer Frank Gathers ( Chris Rock, 2015 ) Drug kingpin who Lucious and Cookie Lyon worked for in the past. Officer McKnight ( Ludacris, 2015 ) Security guard at Lucious ' prison. Clyde ( Petey Pablo, 2015 ) Prison - mate of Lucious Lyon. Valentina Galindo ( Becky G, 2015 ) Aspiring singer and fling of Hakeem Lyon. Skye Summers ( Alicia Keys, 2015 ) Pop singer and fling of Jamal Lyon. Jezzy ( Da Brat, 2015 ) One of Cookie Lyon 's prison - mates. Pepper O'Leary ( Rosie O'Donnell, 2015 ) Cookie Lyon 's former cellmate for over a decade. Vaughn Cooper ( French Montana, 2016 ) Entertainment mogul and acquaintance of Lucious Lyon. Kitty ( Mariah Carey, 2016 ) Superstar singer who works with Jamal. Carlotta Brown ( Queen Latifah, 2017 ) The owner of an Atlanta beauty salon, who worked with Mary Davis in the R&B duo Mixed Harmony back in the 1990s. She becomes a surrogate mother to the three girls, even though she does n't approve of their musical dreams. At the end of the first season, she takes over as manager from Jahil. Carlotta is a friend of Lucious 's from back in the day. Additionally, Snoop Dogg, Sway Calloway, Anthony Hamilton, Fantastic Negrito, Gladys Knight, Rita Ora, Juicy J, Patti LaBelle, Charles Hamilton, Pitbull, Timbaland, Sharon Carpenter, Ne - Yo, Funkmaster Flex, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Jason Derulo, Lee Daniels, Montana of 300, Birdman, Remy Ma and Sticky Fingaz make appearances as themselves. References Jump up ^ `` Empire ''. January 7, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2016 -- via IMDb. Jump up ^ Julious, Britt ( February 6, 2015 ). `` ' The Empire economy ' : how the hit Fox show is making Chicago swing ''. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley ; Ng, Philiana ( 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. ^ Jump up to : 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. Jump up ^ Kile, Meredith B. ( January 28, 2015 ). `` Everything You Need to Know About ' Empire, ' TV 's Most Talked - About New Show ! ''. ET Online. Retrieved March 25, 2015. Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie ( March 6, 2014 ). `` Ryan McPartlin Joins NBC Pilot ' Salvation ' ; Bryshere Y. Gray Cast In Fox 's ' Empire ' ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 2, 2015. ^ Jump up to : 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. Jump up ^ Stack, Tim ( March 2, 2015 ). `` Empire star Taraji P. Henson on her signature line : ' You do n't want to be called Boo Boo Kitty ' ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 5, 2015. Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie ( March 7, 2014 ). `` Malik Yoba Joins Fox Drama Pilot ' Empire ' ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 2, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Kaitlin Doubleday Joins Fox Drama Pilot ' Empire ' ; Regina Hall In FX 's ' Married ' ''. Deadline.com. March 11, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Comedian CP ( Chris Powell ) Lands Role In Lee Daniels ' `` Empire '' ( EXCLUSIVE VIDEO ) ``. theurbandaily.com. October 28, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Gabourey Sidibe & 2 More Join Fox Pilot ' Empire ' ; Andrew Lees In TBS ' ' Your Family Or Mine ' ''. Deadline.com. March 10, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2015. Jump up ^ Roots, Kimberly ( August 26, 2015 ). `` Empire Promotes Serayah for Season 2 ''. TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 10, 2015. Jump up ^ Slezak, Michael ( 2016 - 02 - 05 ). `` ' Empire ' Season 2 Casts Morocco Omari as FBI Agent ''. TVLine.com. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 26. Jump up ^ `` Who Is Lucious ' Half - Brother Tariq on ' Empire ' ? -- ''. 2paragraphs.com. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 26. Jump up ^ Diaz, Evelyn ( May 8, 2014 ). `` Tasha Smith : ' I Fell In Love With Lee Daniels ' ''. BET News. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved January 4, 2014. Jump up ^ Wiegand, David ( January 1, 2015 ). `` ' Empire ' rocks on Fox, cliché and all ''. Worcester Telegram & Gazette. New Media Investment Group. Retrieved January 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` It 's a Wonderful Life on an All - New `` Empire '' Wednesday, January 21, on Fox ``. Fox. Retrieved January 4, 2015. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ `` Bustle ''. Retrieved June 27, 2015. Jump up ^ Petski, Denise. `` Tyra Ferrell Cast In Fox 's ' Empire ' ''. Deadline. Retrieved June 27, 2015. Jump up ^ Kate Stanhope ( 2016 - 07 - 13 ). `` ' Empire ' Season 3 : Sierra McClain to Recur ( Exclusive ) ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 26. ^ Jump up to : Petski, Denise ( February 28, 2018 ). `` ' Empire ' : Rhyon Nicole Brown & Porscha Coleman Set To Recur On Fox Drama Series ''. Deadline.com. Retrieved February 28, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Courtney Love Joins EMPIRE, Premiering January 2015 on FOX ''. BroadwayWorld.com. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014. Jump up ^ `` ' Empire 's ' Jennifer Hudson on Her `` Modern '' Religious Role ``. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 27, 2015. Jump up ^ Fitzgerald, Trent ( July 11, 2016 ). `` Empire Season 2 cameos ''. The Boombox. Retrieved September 21, 2016. Jump up ^ Bentley, Jean ( October 6, 2016 ). `` Empire Needed Much More Mariah Carey ''. E Online. NBC Universal. Retrieved October 6, 2016. Empire Episodes Season 1 `` Pilot '' Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Characters Lucious Cookie Andre Jamal Hakeem Soundtracks Season 1 Season 2 Volume 1 Season 2 Volume 2 Season 3 Season 4 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Empire_characters&oldid=843542125 '' Categories : Lists of American television series characters Empire ( 2015 TV series ) Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from March 2017 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 29 May 2018, at 20 : 29. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays lucious lyon's mother on empire
Answer: Kelly Rowland, 2015-2016 (flashbacks)