An Empire spinoff starring Taraji P. Henson is in the works at 20th Century Fox Television.
The actress, who played Loretha “Cookie” Lyon on the series, will reprise her role on the untitled spinoff which is currently in development, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Danny Strong — who co-created Empire with Lee Daniels — will serve as co-showrunner on the spinoff alongside Yolanda Lawrence and Stacy Littlejohn, with Sanaa Hamri on board to direct. Henson will executive produce.
While official plot details have not been revealed, the potential series will center around Cookie moving to Los Angeles and it could feature some of her other family members from the Fox music drama.
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Additionally, THR reported that Henson has launched a production company called TPH Entertainment and inked a two-year first-look production deal with the show’s producer, 20th Century Fox TV. As part of the deal, Henson will develop projects across multiple platforms.
“I believe that normalizing stories around stigmatizing matters will make them more palatable for audiences to embrace,” Henson said in a statement. “Art can change perception and I plan to develop projects that can help further the conversation. I also aim to help cultivate and establish new young talent and their stories because they are our future and deserve a voice and a platform to be heard. I’m so excited to have 20th, led by the talented Carolyn Cassidy, support me in this new endeavor!”
Empire wrapped up its abbreviated sixth season in April after production ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The spinoff could tie up some loose ends that were left unresolved because of the shortened season.
