TGJ TV Round-Up: ‘Empire’, ‘Extant’, ‘How To Get Away With Murder’, & More

If it wasn’t clear before, it’s abundantly so now: the small screen is having a big-time revival.

Indeed, many are hailing today’s TV climate as the modern golden age.

As such, in our commitment to bring you the latest and freshest juice, we welcome you to the first TGJ TV Round-Up!

Shots of the latest juice from the small screen after the jump…

Ludacris To Appear In ‘Empire’ Season 2

At this rate, who isn’t starring in the second season of ‘Empire’?

Rapper Ludacris has been announced as the newest name to join the music drama’s sophomore run, which is currently in production.

The ‘What’s Your Fantasy’ MC, who has enjoyed acting success as part of the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, will play a security officer at the prison where an embattled Luscious Lyon (Terrence Howard) is being held.

No word on the weight of Luda’s role, but given that the likes of Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland , Lenny Kravitz, Chris Rock, and Adam Rodriguez will also feature, we can’t be alone in wondering how the show plans to not become cameo-central? The answer arrives September 23rd when ‘Empire’ returns to FOX. [Source]

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‘How To Get Away With Murder’ Season 2: Kendrick Sampson Joins Cast

Season one of Shonda Rhimes and Peter Nowalk‘s ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ had viewers engrossed with its titillating twists and turns.

It’s little surprise, then, that the creators are keeping mum about the mystery set to unfold during its upcoming sophomore run.

What is being divulged, though, is that actor Kendrick Sampson has “signed on for a substantive recurring role” on the Viola Davis led drama.

According to Deadline, the rising star (whose previous credits include ‘Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Gracepoint’) will make his debut on the first episode of the new season which airs September 24th on ABC.

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‘Extant’ Ratings Rise In New Timeslot…Sort Of

Halle Berry‘s ‘Extant’ may not be the ratings blockbuster hoped for, however its viewership remains healthy as the Sci-Fi series accelerates further in its second season.

After being bumped to the 10pm timeslot since its July 1st premiere, the show’s numbers dived in a downward direction. Yet, upon returning to its season one airtime of 9pm this week, the Steven Spielberg creation rose 17% to 0.7 in the all-important 18-49 demo from last week’s series low of 0.6.

Still, with total viewership registering lower week on week, it does beg the question of what will become of the CBS title.

Last night’s episode was watched by 4.34 million, while its freshman series averaged 5.5 million. Things that makes you go hmm.

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Lee Daniels Inks Lucrative Deal With FOX

The runway success of Lee Daniels’ ‘Empire’ has yielded a luminously lucrative deal for the award-winning director.

The rich multi-year partnership is with 20th Century Fox Television, the studio behind the Emmy nominated music drama. As part of the pact, Daniels will continue as an executive producer on ‘Empire’, and will also will develop, write, direct and oversee new projects under his Lee Daniels Entertainment umbrella.

Winning! [Source]

[Photo credit: Getty Images]

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