Actor Terence Howard poses at the NAACP Awards in Los Angeles
IN PHOTO: Actor Terence Howard poses at the NAACP Awards in Los Angeles, California March 4, 2011. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

Is Jamal a worthy successor to keep Empire’s reign in the music scene? After “Empire’s” Season 1 epic finale, “Die But One,” Lucious Lyon (Terence Howard) learned that he was misdiagnosed with ALS and passed his legacy to his middle son Jamal (Jussie Smollett).

Featuring one of TV’s juiciest storylines, “Empire” Season 1 finale is filled with cat fights, murder, drama and lies that the show ended its freshman season with the highest since its premiere in January. Now that the show answered one of its biggest questions, the heir to Lucious’ throne, will Jamal stand his ground against his two brother, Andre and Hakeem, and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson)?

“We knew that we were heading in that direction pretty early on in our story-breaking process,” executive producer Ilene Chaikan told TV Line. “Lee [Daniels] had said to me during one of our very first meetings, 'I see Jamal as sort of a Michael Corleone character,' and immediately, that painted a picture for me. Not too much later, we all settled on the way it would happen — Jamal hanging Billy Beretti over the balcony."

When asked how can Jamal forgive Lucious too easily after everything he’s been through, Chaikan revealed that all that Jamal wanted is for Lucious to love him. Although there is a profound truth in Jamal’s forgiveness to his father, Season 2 is set to feature that consequences of forgiving the head of the Lyons and Cookie’s plan of taking over the Empire.

Another shocking and powerful moment from “Empire’s” Season 1 finale is Lucious telling Jamal his real name, Dwight Walker, something that even Cookie did not know. Series creator Danny Strong teased that there is a reason behind the revelation and fans will just have to keep watching. The name suggest that there is more from Lucious past that will come out in Season 2.

Meanwhile, Queen of all Media Oprah Winfrey and Grammy-winner Common are reportedly joining the cast for “Empire” Season 2. Showrunner Lee Daniels has been courting his “Butler” actress to join the long guest list of the show. Other celebrities who joined the show include Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg and Juicy J.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may e-mail the writer at rornos.IBTimes@gmail.com.

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