The ground-breaking show completed its sixth season earlier this year, but it might not be the end for Empire fans, at least not yet!
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic shut down television productions across the world earlier this year, our favourite shows have been facing uncertain futures. Empire’s reign ended two episodes earlier than planned, as the pandemic shut television productions across the world. The final season of the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard starrer on the hip-hop industry was originally set to play out over 20 episodes but now remains in a limbo, which is highly unlikely to change in the near future.
Thus, a question arises — should fans rule out the possibility of Empire season 7?
Highlights —
- How fans reacted to the season finale of Empire
- What the creators have to say for the show’s future
- This is not the first time the creators have faced trouble with the series finale
- Here’s all you need to know about Empire season 7
Back in 2015, Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, was received loud and clear. It was bold and never backed down from being one of the most entertaining shows on television.
Lauded by fans for its sincere representation of important issues; dysfunctional families, mental health-disorders, ALS, the pursuit of following your dreams and more, Empire never strayed away from bringing societal matters to the forefront. While Taraji’s character Cookie illustrated a mother’s love and sacrifice, Terrence’s Luscious depicted a fight within oneself, brought about by the circumstances around him. It’s a captivating spin on a classic story!
How fans reacted to the season finale
Fans have often taken to social media to point out how they have mixed-feelings; sure, some are big proponents of the glitzy family-feud drama, while some find the increasing number of story-lines hard to keep up with. The last episode, number 18, which aired on April 21, featured footage from episode 19, filmed half-way through, before the pandemic-imposed production shutdown brought about its untimely end. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated end to series finale will never see the light of day.
For fans, it was important for the show’s team to have filmed the actual finale. As you know,
Empire has an ongoing story arc with an angle of mystery in the final season that doesn’t get a chance to reveal itself, unless the original ending is out.
What the creators have to say for the show’s future
According to Entertainment Weekly, co-creator Lee Daniels commented on the early finale and gave fans a glimmer of hope, saying, “I think there’s more to do with these characters, and I’m heartbroken we aren’t getting to shoot the finale we wanted — at least not yet. But you know what they say on television? Stay tuned! To the Empire!” Danny Strong who was co-Creator on the show also commented, “The episode airing on April 21 was never meant to be the series finale, but due to current events, it will likely be the last one our fans will see for a while. We had an ending for the series planned that we all loved, and hopefully, someday we’ll be able to film it and give the series its proper conclusion.”
This is not the first time the series finale faced issues
The creative team has already had to alter plans for Empire’s final chapter after cast member Jussie Smollett (who plays Jamal Lyon on the show) was pulled out of season five in the aftermath of an allegedly staged hate-crime incident. Unfortunately this year, the show’s producers have had to create a new ending all over again.
Empire is often said to have been a modern, updated version of King Lear, with a rap mogul seated on the throne instead, and focus on a family drama that revolves around hip-hop. Now that the network has revealed there won’t be a seventh season, is it time for fans to give up on the show?
Here’s all you need to know about season 7
There has been speculation of a reboot of the Empire franchise for a while now. A report by Deadline in January sparked rumours of a potential spinoff headlined by Taraji Henson as Cookie Lyon, and it has been going around increasingly, ever since. Daniels and Danny Strong are even reported to have fully supported the idea. There is a possibility that the show might be taken up by another network, only to strike back with a new season and give fans some much-needed closure.
Whether Empire season 7 will be limited to a few episodes, or be a fully-fledged one that ties every loose end at a slower pace, only time will tell.
