Empire Renewed for Season 5

Empire's cookie will continue to crumble for another season.

Fox announced Wednesday that the musical soap will return for Season 5. The announcement comes just as Alfre Woodard begins her guest-arc on the series as Cookie's (Taraji P. Henson) long-lost mother in Wednesday's episode. Woodard joins Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and Xzibit as this season's top names.

Star power has always been an asset to Empire, which has recruited the talents of Mariah Carey, Demi Moore and Eva Longoria in the past. The show has also proven it knows how to maintain an audience. It's Fox's second highest-rated drama across platforms, pulling in over 11 million viewers per episode. Let's not forget that Empire brings in a lot of gold for Fox too, and not just from the decadent Lyon decor. Over the course of its run, Empire has earned Fox seven Emmy nominations and Henson a Golden Globe in 2016 for her tour de force performance.

Empire: Cookie's Health Scare Will Change Her, But Will It Be for the Better?

The series was was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and was a breakout hit for Fox in 2015. It stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson has an estranged couple trying to maintain their position at the top without losing their family record label.

Empire continues Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.