Actor Terence Howard poses at the NAACP Awards
Actor Terence Howard poses at the NAACP Awards in Los Angeles, California March 4, 2011. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

After its epic pilot episode on Fox, "Empire" is back in the small screen on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with Lucious Lyons (Terence Howard) in hot water while Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) gets an assistant. Now hailed as Fox's highest-rated new show in years, the American musical drama show premiered on Jan. 7 with Lucious trying to decide which of his three sons are up to manage his major label company.

Episode 2's "Outspoken King" features one of Empire's artists being involved in a shooting just before its IPO launch. But thanks Cookie, Lucious got out from the compromising situation by turning the whole thing into their advantage. But the former couple hits up their competition when Cookie heard Lucious' plans to stage a performance for Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) and not Jamal (Jussie Smollett).

Based on the show's promo, "Empire" Season 1, episode 2 promises more drama and deception between the former couple as they struggle to keep their family together and Empire Entertainment. The short clip also features Cookie being approached by a police hoping that she will testify but by doing it she will also put her life at risk.

Guest star Cuba Gooding Jr. will also make his first appearance on the show as Cookie's old friend who is trying to convince her that Lucious owes her after spending some time in prison. The Oscar-winning actor will play the role as Puma as he tries to heat up the screen with Cookie and her relationship with Lucious.

2009's "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe reunites with Lee Daniels in the hip-hop TV show as she is set to play a recurring role. Other stars who are set to join the ensemble cast of "Empire" include rock stars Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray and Courtney Love, and supermodel Naomi Campbell.

"Cookie gets an assistant in episode two, and you will probably be just as obsessed with her as you are with Taraji P. Henson's breakout character," according to E! News "Empire" Season 1, episode 2 spoilers. "One of her duties? Picking up Cookie's heel after she throws it at her ex. Bonus tease: a video of Hakeem goes viral. And not in a good way. But he does get a serious new love interest, so glass half-full!"

"Empire" episode 2 returns to the small screen on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Check out the episode 2 promo, "Outspoken King," courtesy of Television Promos.

To reach the writer of this article, email rornos.IBTimes@gmail.com.