"Empire" has recruited "Murder in the First" actor Juan Antonio to guest in Season 3 as a love interest for Jamal (Jussie Smolett). Meanwhile, FOX has released the official plot details of the premiere.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Antonio will take on the role of Philipp, a military vet who runs a PTSD support group that Jamal attends on "Empire" Season 3. Philipp's arrival on the hiphop drama comes after Jamal's shooting in last season's penultimate episode. Previewing what to expect, series star Jussie Smolett teased that this character is someone who "gives no f---s" about Jamal's fame.
"He just genuinely is not affected by the money or the success or the fame and it's a very, very honest relationship," Smolett said.
Philipp will make his "Empire" debut in the beginning of Season 3. No word yet if he will stick around for more episodes.
In addition to Antonio, "Empire" has also added Phylicia Rashad (Cosby Show) to its Season 3 guest stars. She will play Diane Dubois, the mother of Angelo (played by Taye Diggs) - a New York politician who will be introduced as Cookie's new love interest. Singer/actress Mariah Carey was also booked to appear in the role of Kitty.
In other "Empire" news, FOX has released via The Futon Critic the official plot details abound on the Season 3 premiere. Titled "Light in the Darkness," here's how the network is describing the season opener: "Empire picks up exactly where Season Two ended - Hakeem left at the altar, Lucious and Anika married and Anika and Rhonda fighting on the roof - until someone falls. Also, Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while clashing with his half-brother, Tariq (Morocco Omari), who is leading a federal task force investigating him."
"Empire" Season 3 premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9PM on FOX.