A spinoff series, “Star,” was ordered (it lasted for three seasons), as Fox sought to further capitalize on the show’s popularity. The soundtrack sold more than 430,000 copies, staying on the Billboard charts for 19 consecutive weeks.īig-name guest stars lined up to appear. “Empire” ranked as broadcast TV’s top-rated drama that season – the finale drew a whopping 17.6 million viewers – and soared in other metrics as well.Īs Nielsen Media Research noted, its two-part finale that spring generated 2.4 million tweets, more than any other series. The show’s producers, Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, have left the door open for a more definitive finish down the road – perhaps a movie to tie up any loose ends – with Daniels saying in a statement that he is “heartbroken we aren’t getting to shoot the finale we wanted.” But the odds of that happening appear slim given the logistics.įor Fox, the program’s instant success provided a huge lift when it premiered in January 2015. The episode that airs Tuesday will be the 18th, although it will incorporate material from the penultimate hour that was partially shot. In this case, coronavirus intervened, shortening production on what was to have been a 20-episode season. Yet like so much surrounding the show, it didn’t work out as planned, as “Empire” signs off with more of a whimper than a bang, again due to circumstances beyond its control. When Fox announced that the series would be concluding last May, Fox Entertainment chief Charlie Collier said the program would “go out guns a-blazing,” adding, “You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”

Famous for its over-the-top twists and cliffhangers, the musical drama that was once one of TV’s biggest hits experienced a fall almost as steep as its rise. “Empire” finishes its six-season run this week with a sort-of series finale, ending what has been a long, strange trip.

The final empire