Precious’ Reunion as Gabourey Sidibe joins Lee Daniels’ Empire seriesPosted by Wilson Morales
March 10, 2014
Five years after being Oscar nominated for Best Actress and Best Director respectively, Gabourey Sidibe will be reuniting with her ‘Precious’ director Lee Daniels as she’s the latest addition to his upcoming hip-hop TV series for Fox, ‘Empire.’
“I’m back with my girl. I’ve watched her grow into an incredible actor and even more incredible spirit. I love her with all heart. She is Miss Becky!,” stated Daniels on his Facebook page.
The New York native joins Terrence Howard, Taraji Henson, Jussie Smollett, Yazz, and Malik Yoba in the cast.
Howard will play Lucious Lyon, the head of a record label. Lucious is described as charismatic, tough, wise and a superstar in the music industry who oversees Empire Entertainment and is about to take the company 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 will play Cookie Lyon, Lucious’s ex-wife and former business partner. She is a sexy, outrageous, over-the-top force who has spent 17 years of hard time in prison for dealing drugs – money she funneled directly to Lucious’ fledging music empire. Now she’s been released early for good behavior and she wants what’s hers. Smollet plays Lucious and Cookie’s middle son Jamal, a sensitive soul and musical prodigy who could easily rise to superstardom if he desired. As a gay man, he’s been rejected and judged by his father since childhood – which may explain why he steers clear of fame and prefers to keep his music “pure.” Yazz will play his younger brother Hakeem, a beautiful, ripped, and charming skilled singer in his 20s. Yoba has the role of Vernon Turner, Lucious’s longtime friend from the streets and business associate who is now the chairman of the board of Empire Entertainment.
Sidibe made her acting debut in 2009 in ‘Precious’ and was Oscar nominated for her performance. Since then, she has starred opposite Laura Linney in the Showtime series The Big C from 2010-2013, hosted Saturday Night Live in 2010, and currently co-stars as Queenie on the FX TV series American Horror Story: Coven.
Daniels and Danny Strong will direct and write ‘Empire,’ respectively, as well as executive produce it along with Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo. Strong wrote ‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler.’
The show, which marks Daniels’ television directing debut, will take fans behind the scenes and feature original music alongside tracks from current artists. Timbaland has signed on as a songwriter and song producer for the series.
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