empire season 2 spoilers
"Empire," starring Bryshere Gray, Trai Byers, Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, will return for more drama on Wednesday, September 23. Fox

Fall will come in like a Lyon when Fox’s hit series “Empire” returns with its anticipated second season this September. And luckily for fans, showrunner Danny Strong hinted just what viewers could expect from the sophomore installment when the co-creator attended the 2015 ATX Television Festival panel.

According to Strong, who also attended the “Gilmore Girls” reunion panel on Saturday, June 6, (he portrayed Doyle McCaster on the seven-season dramedy), the writers aren’t planning on beefing up the forthcoming season with bigger and badder drama. Instead, they’re “going to continue the story and be truthful to the story,” he said.

But just because Season 2 of the hip-hop TV series won’t be oozing with outlandish moments doesn’t mean the future plots of “Empire” won’t cease to leave your mouth agape. Strong and executive producer Wendy Calhoun dished what moments they’re most excited for fans to see when the second season premieres on Wednesday, September 23.

Strong teased that Season 2 will include a flashback story that will help piece together even more of the background of the Lyon family.

“I'm excited about [the flashbacks]. It’s an origin story for one of the characters,” he revealed. And apparently Strong isn’t the only one who’s yearning for some scoop on the backstory of the musical clan. “I can’t wait for the flashback!” Calhoun stated, adding that she’s mostly looking forward to seeing Cookie’s (Taraji P. Henson) fashion senses from back in the day. “Just to watch Cookie’s hairstyles is just enough for me.”

Audiences can also anticipate “new relationship dynamics in Season 2” between characters that “already exist,” Calhoun said during the panel. “We just didn’t have a lot of time to get into them [during Season 1].”

Curious which character dynamics she’s referring to? “Cookie and Andre (Trai Byres),” the EP unveiled. “I want to know more about that.” And apparently we will -- in the fourth episode of Season 2.

The showrunner also divulged that while Season 1 was focused on who would win the coveted throne (Jamal [Jussie Smollett] was ultimately dubbed as Lucious’ [Terrence Howard] successor in the finale), the second installment will center on the waging war between the kingdoms of “Empire,” as well as some drama regarding who will run Lucious’ kingdom after he hands over the crown.

“Just because you get the empire doesn’t mean you get to keep the empire,” Strong teased, leaving audience members on the edges of their seats.

Season 2 of “Empire” will premiere on Fox on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

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