‘Empire’ Co-Creator Lee Daniels Talks About His Rocky Transition And Letting Cookie Do Whatever She Wants

Best known for his films like “The Butler” and “Monster's Ball,” Lee Daniels talked about his rocky transition from film to television after the massive success of his TV show “Empire.” The “Empire” series co-creator admitted that there are some difficult moments when he was starting with the show as he is used to doing things on his own, unlike television when he has to consult with other people.

"This wasn't us fighting with ['Butler' producer] Harvey Weinstein over a cut, this was a group of people. So I learned to collaborate,” Daniels told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday’s HRTS hitmakers luncheon. "It was a rough experience -- and I don't know one that I would repeat. I lost my virginity. I don't know that I would want to lose it again."

The 55-year-old showrunner also revealed that he was about halfway on the show’s 13th episode before he felt the connection between him and co-creator Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken, Fox and Studio 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels also joined other TV creators including “Fargo’s” Noah Hawley, “The Good Wife’s” Michelle King, “Transparent’s” Jill Soloway and “The Affair’s” Sarah Treem.

However, the collaborative nature of the show doesn’t only stop on “Empire’s” creative team but extends to the cast. Daniels admitted that he fully trust his all actors as they can inject their own creativity to their roles.

One classic example is Taraji P. Henson’s character, the fiery and fast talking Cookie Lyon, where she sometimes adlib her own lines. The Oscar-nominated director also noted that the actress will “add a line or a word that makes it sparkle” and make her character more authentic to the audience.

Meanwhile, Daniels responded to Tavis Smiley’s critique about “Empire” and how the show features the “worst of every pathology that black people have.” With so many people giving their own opinion to the hit show, Daniels told ET that everybody is “entitled to their opinion” and that he adored Mr. Smiley and thinks that he is a “very smart man.”

“Empire” ended its freshman season with a big bang with a 6.5 average rating among adults 18-49 and 16.7 million viewers for its 2-hour season finale. There is no confirmation yet for the show’s Season 2 premiere.

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