‘Empire’ Season 3 Spoilers: Taraji P. Henson Confirms Major Character Dies; Reveals Cast Reactions To Anika Or Rhonda Death

One of the main cast members on Fox’s “Empire” has sadly bit the dust, and all will be revealed when the show returns for Season 3 in a few weeks. Taraji P. Henson, who stars as Cookie Lyon, confirmed that a character is going to die in the upcoming season. Which character it is remains a mystery, but it’s most likely Anika or Rhonda.

Season 2 of the hip-hop drama ended with Anika (Grace Gealey) and Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) fighting outside on a balcony. Andre (Trai Byers) showed up to get Anika for Lucious (Terrence Howard) but he was a bit too late. The season ended with the camera showing Andre’s horrified face as either Anika or Rhonda fell over the side of the balcony.

In an interview with “Extra” Monday, Henson opened up about the cliffhanger saying that one of the ladies definitely doesn’t survive the fall. She also shared how the cast heard about the shocking news. “They send us the script and then everybody’s calling each other like, ‘What? What? What?’” she said. “You have to wait till September 21.”

This month at the Television Critics Association, “Empire” showrunner Ilene Chaiken dished on the Season 2 finale cliffhanger promising that everything will be revealed in a “fabulous and heart-stopping way” early in Season 3, Variety reported.

So what else is in store when the show picks back up? Jamal (Jussie Smollett) will still be on the mend from getting shot last season. He’s also still refusing to sing because of all the family drama. It’s believed that Mariah Carey’s guest role as Kitty will help Jamal in his time of need. Henson told “Extra” that Carey’s character is a good friend of Cookie’s and will try and help Jamal “get through his difficulties.” Other guest stars on Season 3 include Taye Diggs, Sierra McClain, French Montana and Birdman.

Season 3 of “Empire” premieres Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.