The wait is nearly over for “Empire” fans.
The musical drama’s fifth season is set to resume on March 13, but before diving fully into the new episodes, it’s worth taking the time to take a step back and get a longer look at the show.
How exactly has this particular show managed to capture the hearts of millions of fans? What makes “Empire” stand out so much?
Remember that this is the TV show that managed to break a ratings record previously held by another immensely popular series in “The Big Bang Theory” back in 2015, per TV By The Numbers. That is no small feat and it speaks to how passionate people are about “Empire.”
It also hints at how the showrunners and members of the cast have managed to create something truly special.
Brilliant Casting
From the very start, the creators of “Empire” knew that it had two bankable stars in Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
Howard has been a veteran of the film and TV industry dating back to the early 90s and his profile rose significantly after he was prominently featured in films such as “Crash,” “Ray,” and “Hustle & Flow.”
Henson had a bit of a later start in Hollywood, but she has similarly been featured in numerous notable films such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Hidden Figures.” She also starred alongside Howard in “Hustle & Flow.”
It came as no surprise when the creators of “Empire” decided to lean heavily on Henson and Howard – a decision that is continuing to pay off handsomely.
The two stars have been essential to the success of the show. Howard and Henson manage to breathe true passion into the characters they portray in each and every episode. Nearly five full seasons in, they continue to be the stalwarts of “Empire.”
With Howard and Henson leading the way, the showrunners have managed to assemble a terrific ensemble cast to support the two luminaries.
Stars Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers, and Gabourey Sidibe have also flexed their own impressive acting muscles. Newer additions including Forest Whitaker and Wood Harris have also made solid contributions to “Empire,” an indicator that the showrunners still know which talents to bring in to round out the cast.
Embracing and Emphasizing the Melodrama
In an era populated by self-aware and at times self-serious shows, “Empire” manages to stand out by doing something simple. “Empire” embraces being a soap opera completely. The show is unafraid to explore storylines that some may deem too cliché or corny and weaves interesting narratives out of them.
The show managing to remain compelling even as it crosses over sometimes into the realm of soap opera silliness is a testament to the great work put in by the writers and the cast members.
“Empire’s” stellar scores on Rotten Tomatoes also emphasize the fact that fans love what is going on.
At this point, fans have come to expect some of the over-the-top storylines and they have even grown to love them dearly. It’s hard to fault them for doing so.
The Terrific Blending of Drama and Sound
“Empire” also knows how to use great music expertly. Right from the start, the songs used on the show were included as storytelling elements and that has not changed.
Integrating significant musical elements into a series is not easy, but the show does so with no problem.
There’s a lot to love about “Empire” and for fans who have been dying to watch the newest episodes, the wait is coming to an end soon.
In the meantime, fans can refresh their memories and catch up on Season 5 of “Empire” by watching stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Wood Harris, and Forest Whitaker work their magic onscreen again.
