Watch the Trailer for Season 2 of ‘Empire’

The “Empire” strikes back. Fox’s breakout hit returns for a second season on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the first trailer has just hit the net. Season 2 promises just as many twists and turns as last season. More in fact, because this time the show will be expanded to 18 episodes, from 12 last season. The 30-second clip teases the drama in store—Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) in a cage, and then visiting Lucious (Terrence Howard) in jail (#FreeLucious). In the new season, the gang will be joined by several new characters, including Andre Royo—who you may remember from his star-making role as Bubbles on “The Wire”—playing a character named Thirsty Rawlings. He’s a brilliant lawyer who catches the eye of Lucious, despite his “dark secrets.”