A day after giving a series order to Gotham, FOX has picked up the second and third new shows for the 2014-15 broadcast season - hip-hop family drama Empire starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson and hospital coming-of-age drama Red Band Society starring Octavia Spencer.
Empire centers on Lucious Lyon (Howard), a charismatic, savvy music superstar who is about to take his company, Empire Entertainment, public. Raised on the streets, he has never backed away from a fight and will resort to any measures, fair or foul, to defend his beloved Empire. Henson plays Cookie Lyon, Lucious' ex-wife and former business partner.
The cast also includes Gabourey Sidibe, Macy Grey, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray, Malik Yoba, Kaitlin Doubleday, Trai Byers, Grace Gealey and Tasha Smith.
The pilot was written by Danny Strong and directed by Lee Daniels, making his TV directorial debut. Timbaland will serve as songwriter and music producer. 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Entertainment will produce, with Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo also on board as executive producers.
Based on the Spanish series Polseres Vermelies, Red Band Society is described as a dark dramedy that focuses on the daily lives of a group of teenagers living in a hospital who become unlikely friends. The depth of the unexpected friendships allows them to survive the challenges of growing up under such intense circumstances. Spencer stars as Nurse Jackson, the head nurse in the pediatric wing, who has a hard shell but is profoundly sympathetic to the kids under her care.
The cast also includes Dave Annable, Griffin Gluck, Wilson Cruz, Charlie Rowe, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Zoe Levin, Ciara Bravo and Nolan Sotillo.
The pilot was written by Margaret Nagle and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Nagle will serve as executive producer alongside Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Sergio Aguero. ABC Studios and Amblin Television will produce.
Based on the Spanish series Polseres Vermelies, Red Band Society is described as a dark dramedy that focuses on the daily lives of a group of teenagers living in a hospital who become unlikely friends. The depth of the unexpected friendships allows them to survive the challenges of growing up under such intense circumstances. Spencer stars as Nurse Jackson, the head nurse in the pediatric wing, who has a hard shell but is profoundly sympathetic to the kids under her care.
The cast also includes Dave Annable, Griffin Gluck, Wilson Cruz, Charlie Rowe, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Zoe Levin, Ciara Bravo and Nolan Sotillo.
The pilot was written by Margaret Nagle and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Nagle will serve as executive producer alongside Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Sergio Aguero. ABC Studios and Amblin Television will produce.
