Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson will star opposite Terrence Howard in Fox's Empire, TVGuide.com has learned.

From The Butler's Lee Daniels and Game Change's Danny Strong, Empire is a family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire that will feature both original and current music.

The Person of Interest alum will play Cookie Lyon, the ex-wife and former business partner of music superstar Lucious Lyon (Howard). The outrageous and over-the-top Cookie has spent 17 years in prison for dealing drugs — money she funneled directly to Lucious' then-fledgling music empire. Now she's been released early for good behavior and she wants what's hers.

Henson, who was killed off Person of Interest in November, reunites with Howard, with whom she starred inHustle & Flow. She is also known for her Oscar-nominated performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Additionally, Jussie Smollett — the older brother of Friday Night Lights' Jurnee Smollett whose credits includeThe Mighty Ducks and The Mindy Project — has been cast as Jamal Lyon, the son of Lucious who is a musical prodigy in his own right and could rise to superstardom if he desired. As a gay man, he's been rejected and judged by his father since childhood — which may explain why he steers clear of fame and prefers to keep his music "pure."

Daniels and Strong will write and executive-produce the drama — which was ordered to pilot with an eye toward series — alongside Brian Grazer (24) and Francie Calfo (How to Live with Your Parents).

Would you watch the project?