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Fox is pushing Empire breakout Jussie Smollett into the spotlight.
The mid-season juggernaut’s latest promo centers on the actor who plays Jamal, the openly gay son of music mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) and his ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson).
“Listen to me, you’re different,” Cookie tells a young Jamal in one of the emotionally charged scenes included in the clip. “Always remember, I got you.” But Lucious isn’t as understanding of his son’s sexuality, insisting that it’s a choice. “You don’t have to understand me,” Jamal shoots back at his father.
The hip-hop drama from co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong has been a much-needed shot of adrenaline for Fox, generating record-shattering ratings and continuing to post viewer gains with each passing week. Though Henson’s Cookie is arguably the fan favorite, Smollett has seen his star rise, both as an actor and musician.
Watch the tensions rise in the promo below:
Empire airs on Wednesdays 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.
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