"Empire" will continue with a third season, and according to a report from Deadline, several new cast members have been added to further explore the history and relationships on the show, in particular, that of a younger Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson).
According to the report, the younger Lucious will be played by Jeremy Carver while the younger Cookie shall be played by Ajiona Alexus. It is further stated that this is the first major role that Carver has garnered in his career thus far. Alexus has a little more experience, appearing in "Code Black" and has a recurring role in the upcoming "13 Reasons Why."
The report further points out that this younger version of Cookie will appear beautiful and innocent but there is still a "spark" of the livelier person she becomes as an adult. It is further stated that the young Lucious will be the "bad boy" that will peak her interests and romantic attraction.
Musician-actor Ezri Walker, known for his musical work and his upcoming performance in "The Land," will also be recurring through season 3. Deadline states that Walker will playing a 16-year-old nerd named Zeah who is both a scholarly kid and a talented musician who is torn between two paths.
Zeah is further described as a kid with an "edge and real talent as a rapper. With his high GPA and serious smarts, this teenager finds himself torn between a future at an elite university and a career at Empire under the guidance of the legendary Lucious Lyon."
These flashbacks may later reveal what became of Zeah and how his relationship with Lucious and Cookie eventually turned out. Not only will these flashbacks reveal the earlier days of the Lyon family business but also hint at who may be the main villain for season 3.
"Empire" season 3 premieres this Sept. 21.
