‘Empire’ Season 2 Premiere Date Announced, Fox Plans To Air Sophomore Show In Two Parts

Rejoice! Our Cookie drought is over according to Fox’s latest upfront announcement. The wildly popular show will premiere its highly anticipated second season in fall 2015. The network has also stated that it will air Season 2 in two halves.

The Hollywood Reporter shared a preview of the fall Fox lineup that placed a premium on many of its top shows like “Empire,” “Gotham” and “The Last Man on Earth.” “Empire” will look to hold onto its top Wednesday spot on the network. During its Season 1 run, the show became the top rated broadcast network show. “Empire” will return to its 9 p.m. EDT slot for Season 2.

Fox has confirmed “Empire” Season 2 will bump its episode count to 18. That’s a jump from the show’s previous 12 episodes, two of which aired as a special two hour season finale. But they won’t play consecutively as “Empire” Season 1 did. TV Guide reported on Twitter that Fox plans to air Season 2 in two parts, a move much more in line with cable shows (like “Mad Men" and “Breaking Bad”) than broadcast ones.

Many of the show’s regulars, like stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, are slated to return. Other series regulars, such as Naomi Campbell, who plays the reacherous Camilla Marks, look to be reprising their roles as well. New artists joining the “Empire” soundtrack include Ne-Yo and Timbaland, both of whom will contribute original songs to Season 2.

Fox's new show “Rosewood” will lead into “Empire” on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. EDT. The Miami-based medical drama stars Morris Chestnut and Jaina Lee Ortiz. The series is a return for Fox to its earlier mystery solving doctors like “House” and Dr. Walter Bishop of “Fringe” to Fox.

Fox did not officially announce when “Empire” Season 2 would premiere in the fall, so stay tuned for more good news to come.