During their executive session at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, FOX co-CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman announced renewals for Empire and Scream Queens. Empire will return for its third season while Scream Queens will be back for its second.
Empire continues to be an impressive ratings performer for the network. It ranks as the top series on the broadcast networks amongst the key Adults 18-49 demographic. The fall finale delivered a 6.6 rating in Live+7 figures.
It's currently unclear how many episodes will be included in Season 3. The second season will feature 18 episodes, up from 12 for the first season. After a three month hiatus, Empire returns with new episodes on Wednesday, March 30.
Empire stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers, Bryshere Y. Gray, Grace Gealey, Kaitlin Doubleday, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Serayah McNeill and Gabourey Sidibe.
Lee Daniels and Danny Strong created the drama. They executive produce with Ilene Chaiken, Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo. 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television produce.
Scream Queens was a much more modest perform in the ratings this fall. However, it was a strong performer in delayed viewing - sometimes resulting in 167% lifts across multi-platform viewership. That's likely the reason why FOX is willing to give it another season. Plus, network brass loves being in business with Ryan Murphy.
Walden and Newman also confirmed that the second season will be moving its setting from a college campus to a hospital. The murder mystery will take place where some of the most fascinating and bizarre cases are under observation.
The cast for the first season included Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Lea Michele, Glen Powell, Diego Boneta, Abigail Breslin, Keke Palmer, Nasim Pedrad, Lucien Laviscount, Oliver Hudson, Billie Lourd, Niecy Nash and Jamie Lee Curtis.
It's currently unclear if any of the original stars will be back for the second season. However, Walden and Newman did tease that some of the stars will be back for the new season playing the same roles - while others might be playing new roles.
Scream Queens was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. They executive produce with Dante Di Loreto and Alexis Martin Woodall. 20th Century Fox Television and Ryan Murphy Productions produce.
