'Empire' Season 2: Is Adam Rodriguez Cast As Terrence Howard's Lucious Lyon SPOILERS?

Viewers are anxious for the highly anticipated Season 2 return of Empire on Fox. In the latest casting announcement, Adam Rodriguez  joins as someone who could either be an enemy to Luscious Lyon (Terrence Howard) or possible love interest to Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) during the September premiere?

As we previously mentioned, Luscious (Howard) is a hip hop mogul who's interested in taking his company public and passing the torch to one of his three kids. Cookie (Henson), the ex-matriarch of the wealthy family who has just been released from prison. The company is divided between the aspiring Jamal (Jussie Smollett), playboy rapper Hakeem (Bryshere Gray), and business savvy Andre (Trai Byers).

During the season finale, Vernon was murdered by Andre and his pregnant wife, Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday). Though Jamal has earned the company, Anika (Grace Gealey) has setup a hostile takeover against him. From beyond the grave, Vernon got his revenge for Bunkyie. Arrested for murder, Luscious was last seen in a prison cell, thinking his own wife and kids set him up.

TV Line reports that the CSI: Miami actor has landed a recurring role in the second season. , Rodriguez will play native New Yorker and former EMT Laz Delgado, who producers have described as as "a smooth-talking concert promoter with expert hustler skills... who takes an interest in Cookie." Will Delgado end up mixing business and pleasure with Empire's matriarch?

As we previously mentioned, comedian Chris Rock, R&B superstar Alicia Keys and rock star Lenny Kravitz  will have guest-starring roles in the upcoming sophomore season. Empire will expand from 12 to 18 episodes. The second season will be split into two cycles, with a hiatus during the winter break.

We also mentioned, Lucious' and Cookie's very own lackeys Becky Williams (Gabourey Sidibe) and Porsha Taylor (Ta'Rhonda Jones) have been upgraded to to full-fledged series regulars. Becky and Porsha's promotions will take effect with the show's upcoming second season.

Season 2 of Empire will premiere on Fox Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9/8pm .

Readers, are you excited to see more of Empire?