Cast Members Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Directors Lee Daniels And Danny Strong From The Television Series 'Empire'
(L-R) Cast members Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smolett, Trai Byers, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, directors Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, producers Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo from the television series "Empire" take part in Fox Broadcasting Company's part of the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2015 presentations in Pasadena, California, January 17, 2015. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

Still basking in the show’s massive success, “Empire” series creator Danny Strong is now gearing up for the show’s second season. The show’s freshman season wrapped up this March. Meanwhile, Strong has revealed that it was their plan to address homophobia in the hip-hop community in the honest way possible.

“Well it was always inherent in the very concept that the hip-hop mogul before he was named Lucious Lyon that he was going to have this son who was going to be this incredibly gifted artist,” Strong told Eurweb. “And that the character would hate the son because the son was gay. And that was used in the very first pitch that I ever presented to Lee.”

Strong said that he pitched Jamal’s (Jussie Smollett) storyline, with the intention to address the issue of homophobia and taking on it in a “very blunt, honest and upfront way.”

And answering a question about Naomi Campbell replacing Macy Gray to play Camilla Marks role because of latter's erratic behaviour on the set, Strong told the publication that they shot the pilot with the “Paperboy” star but they changed the casting after they were given the greenlight since Campbell is a better fit for the role. He also revealed that rumours about Gray acting erratic on the set is not true and there was no “bad behaviour” at all.

Meanwhile, executive producer Ilene Chaiken has hinted that she is keen to explore the past as they gear up for second season. Now that Lucious Lyon (Terence Howard) is behind bars, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) is planning a hostile takeover of Empire Entertainment together with her sons Andre (Trai Byers) and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray).

Still a central character in the story, Lucious continues to be a force to reckon with no matter where he is. Chaiken admitted that they are still in the process of figuring out the storyline for Season 2 and whether they are adding more episodes or not.

“Empire," which made its debut on Jan. 07, was renewed for Season 2 right after its second episode. With high ratings that increased with each episode and toppled "The Big Bang Theory" reign as top rated show, “Empire” has set the expectations high for its second season.

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