or


[06/29/15 - 11:34 AM]
Twentieth Century Fox Television Signs "Empire" Co-Creator Lee Daniels to Multiyear Overall Deal
Under the extensive pact, he will develop, write, direct and supervise new projects for the studio under his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner.
[via press release from Twentieth Century Fox Television]

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX TELEVISION SIGNS "EMPIRE" CO-CREATOR LEE DANIELS TO MULTIYEAR OVERALL DEAL

Daniels Will Continue On "Empire" As Well As Develop, Write, Direct and Supervise New Television Projects for The Studio

June 29, 2015, Hollywood, CA - Lee Daniels, co-creator and executive producer of the season's smash sensation "Empire," has entered into a multiyear deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television, it was announced today by Fox Television Group Chairmen and CEO's Gary Newman and Dana Walden. Under the extensive pact, he will develop, write, direct and supervise new projects for the studio under his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner. Daniels will remain as an executive producer of the Fox juggernaut, which has done what no series has ever done before; grown its ratings in each of its telecasts to become the No. 1 show in all of broadcast television, and the highest-rated broadcast drama in seven years.

"Lee Daniels has a gift for telling authentic, provocative stories that are both truthful and wildly entertaining," commented Walden and Newman. "His casting instincts are incredible, whether he is discovering tomorrow's stars or attracting the most accomplished performers to his projects. As a director, he elevates world class material to even greater heights, balancing heart-wrenching poignancy with surprising moments of levity that are over the top and fun. Quite simply, we love working with this inspired storyteller, and this deal is about extending and deepening our relationship."

"I'm incredibly excited to continue my relationship with Dana and Gary, and the rest of the Fox team," added Daniels. "I'm looking forward to developing content and finding alternative voices for both in front of and behind the camera."

Daniels serves as an executive producer and director on "Empire" alongside co-creator/executive producer Danny Strong, showrunner/executive producer Ilene Chaiken, executive producer Brian Grazer and executive producer Francie Calfo, and he directed the pilot episode. On the feature side, he will next start shooting "The Untitled Richard Pryor Biopic" for the Weinstein Company.

Daniels is an Academy Award(R) nominated filmmaker whose body of work includes the critically acclaimed box office smash "Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire" for which he was the first African American to be nominated for a Director's Guild of America Award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film," "The Paperboy" and "Shadowboxer." He also produced the acclaimed "Monster's Ball" starring Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton and Heath Ledger.

Daniels is represented by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren & Richman, LLP.

20th Century Fox Television, a 21st Century Fox Company, is a leading supplier of entertainment programming domestically and around the world.





  [june 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· EMPIRE (FOX)




[05/12/26 - 05:22 PM]
Fandom Takes Center Stage as Disney's Sports, TV and Film Powerhouses Command the North Javits Center
Energized by on stage appearances from more than 100 notable figures, the presentation underscored Disney's position at the forefront of the global media industry and its ambitious path ahead, driven by the powerful intersection of fandom, storytelling, innovation, and creative culture redefining the future of the industry.
[05/12/26 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Human Vapor" - Official Teaser - Netflix
A legendary Toho film is rebooted with a brand-new story.
[05/12/26 - 02:29 PM]
CFP Contenders and Non-Conference Clashes Headline ESPN's Industry-Leading, Early-Season College Football Schedule Reveal at Disney Upfront
Nine of ESPN.com's Way-Too-Early Top 25 are featured in the schedule release, including No. 1 Ohio State, No. 5 Texas, No. 7 Miami, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 11 LSU.

[05/12/26 - 02:29 PM]
The Grammy Awards Set to Take Place Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027, and Will Air Live on ABC and Stream on Disney+ and Hulu
The upcoming ceremony marks a historic shift for the organization as the 2027 Grammy Awards will be the first ceremony to air on ABC since 1972, ushering in a new era for the most celebrated night in music.
[05/12/26 - 02:29 PM]
Disney and the Country Music Association Extend Relationship Through 2032
As part of the new agreement, the CMA Awards will stream live on Disney+ for the first time ever, alongside its traditional broadcast on ABC, kicking off with "The 60th Annual CMA Awards" on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
[05/12/26 - 02:24 PM]
ESPN's "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" Kicks Off 40th Season in Baton Rouge with 500th Show on the Road
Following Baton Rouge, College GameDay will travel to Austin, Texas on September 12 for a battle of powerhouse programs in Week 2 as the Texas Longhorns host Ohio State in a rematch of last season's 14-7 Buckeyes' win in Columbus.
[05/12/26 - 02:06 PM]
Paul Anthony Kelly Joins Cast of FX's "American Horror Story" Installment 13 Coming This Fall to FX and Hulu
FX's "American Horror Story," the global phenomenon that has garnered more than 100 Emmy nominations since its launch in 2011, returns for an unrivaled 13th installment that will do justice to everyone's most feared number.
[05/12/26 - 01:55 PM]
Disney+ Becomes the Exclusive Home of the Banana Bowl This October
Known for blending athleticism with entertainment, the game will include one of the biggest performances the league has ever seen, bringing together all six teams, along with its signature on-field showmanship from first pitch to final out.
[05/12/26 - 01:42 PM]
The 99th Oscars Reunites Host Conan O'Brien and Executive Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan
The 99th Oscars will air live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT.
[05/12/26 - 01:38 PM]
Savannah Bananas' Jackson Olson Slides Into the Ballroom for "Dancing with the Stars" Season 35
The full cast of celebrities and professional dancers will be announced Wednesday, September 2, exclusively on "Good Morning America."
[05/12/26 - 01:32 PM]
ESPN Sets the Stage for Super Bowl LXI With Week Long Expansive Broadcast and Fan Experience on Santa Monica Beach
These efforts are all building toward Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, which will air on ESPN and ABC and mark ESPN's first production of the Super Bowl.
[05/12/26 - 12:05 PM]
Oscar Isaac, Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, and David Costabile Will Star in "The Roman"
A high stakes modern casino drama series from the creators of "Billions" and executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
[05/12/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of May 4 - The Critters of "Swapped" Soar to No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
The pursuit of justice is action-packed in "Man on Fire," which set the English TV list ablaze at No. 1 with 12.6 million views.
[05/12/26 - 11:31 AM]
CNN FlashDoc "The Last Laugh: Stephen Colbert" to Stream on Friday, May 15 on the CNN App
The special will also air Sunday, May 17 at 8pm ET on CNN, just days before the highly anticipated finale of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
[05/12/26 - 11:13 AM]
BET Greenlights Manny Halley Productions' "Lot Patrol," A Star-Studded Mockumentary Comedy Series
A mismatched squad of eccentric security guards patrols the chaotic backlot of a major Hollywood studio, where they wrangle unhinged actors, rogue crew members, and their own wildly dysfunctional personal lives.