The producers reveal how they cast actors to join the cast of ‘Empire’ and it’s amazing!
Empire is an American drama television series which debuted on Fox on January 7, 2015. It centers on a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the members of the founders’ family as they fight for control of the company. The show was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, and stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
‘Empire’s premiere is ranked as Fox’s highest-rated debut in three years. Viewership has increased continuously; ‘Empire’ is the first series in at least 23 years to have its viewership increase week to week for its first five episodes. ‘Empire’ continues to increase its viewership with further episodes.
As of its first season finale, Empire has now surpassed ‘The Big Bang Theory’ as the highest rated scripted program in the 2014-2015 television season. The first season finale is also the highest rated debut season finale since May 2005, when ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ ended its first season. Empire’s season one finale grew 82 percent from its series premiere, making it the show that has grown the most over the course of its first season since ‘Men in Trees’ during the 2006-2007 season.
So how does the most popular show in the last 23 years cast their actors? Well ‘Empire’ co-creator Danny Strong (who developed the show along with Lee Daniels) and executive producer Wendy Calhoun were on hand at the ATX Television Festival in Austin to preview the second season of Fox’s breakout hit, discussing everything from the proliferation of guest star cameos to the show’s “Game of Thrones”-inspired tone in season two.
In the interview, Danny Strong reveals how he chooses cast members to join the cast and crew of ‘Empire’ and it’s pretty amazing!
As an actor myself, I want to hire people that are talented, that were like me, that needed the job, as opposed to someone so famous this is some thing they’re gonna do for pocket change. I’m a vocal proponent of not doing all the stunt casting… It’s not a source of tension, but it’s a source of disagreement.” But when a guest star feels like an organic addition to the show, as with Courtney Love’s arc, Strong conceded that “it completely works for our storytelling.” [SOURCE]
Your chances of landing a role on the most popular show on television have just gotten that much easier.
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