LOS ANGELES, CA ñ September 23, 2015.  Empire\nThree months after his arrest, Lucious tries to run Empire Entertainment while in federal lockup. Cookie states a star-studded concert in support of Lucious while Andre, Hakeem, Anika, and Mimi Whiteman attempt a hostile takeover\nLucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), head of Empire Records, is about to take his company public when he is diagnosed with ALS and is given only three years to live. While keeping his medical condition secret, he decides to appoint one of his sonsóAndreTrai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem Bryshere Y. Gray)--as his successor. Meanwhile, Lucious' ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) is released from jail after 17 years and demands her half of Empire, which Lucious refuses. Cookie greets youngest son Hakeem, who barely remembers her and is resentful of her. Hakeem is spoiled and spends his time chasing women and drugs, but has genuine musical talent. Cookie bonds more warmly with Jamal, her middle son, who is se