Empire creators, Lee Daniels and Danny Strong have a diverse team of writers responsible for crafting Cookie into everyone’s favorite diva and establishing Empire Entertainment as the world’s most infamous fictional record label.
Empire Fox Writers
The Empire TV show’s writing staff is made up of 12 talented creatives who continue to craft suspenseful storylines that keep us begging for more!
Joshua Allen
Joshua Allen is a writer from Chicago who previously wrote for the the CBS show Hostages.
The following video shows Allen, alongside fellow writer Attica Locke, at the 2015 SAMHSA Voice Awards:
Radha Blank
Radha Blank is a performer and writer best known for ‘The Get Down’.
The following clip shows Blank on Arise and Shine:
Wendy Calhoun
Wendy Calhoun is a writer and producer best known for ‘Nashville’ and ‘Justified’.
In the following video Calhoun discusses Empire’s success, the show’s impact and what fans can expect for season 2:
Ilene Chaiken
Ilene Chaiken is Empire’s showrunner. Chaiken is best know for ‘Black Box’ and ‘The L Word’.
In the following clip, Chaiken offers advice to aspiring writers:
Ingrid Escajeda
Ingrid Escajeda is a writer and producer best known for ‘Justified’ and ‘Better Off Ted’.
In the following video Escajeda discusses her path to ‘Justified’ along with some surprising moments encountered on-set:
Ayanna Floyd
Ayanna Floyd is a writer and producer best known for ‘Hannibal’ and ‘Falling Skies’.
In the following video Floyd discusses her reaction to Empire and the lack of diversity on television:
Eric Haywood
Eric Haywood is a writer and producer best known for ‘Private Practice’ and ‘Soul Food’.
The following video shows Haywood discussing Episode 9 of Empire’s first season:
JaNeika James
JaNeika James is a writer and producer who previously worked at ABC Studios and in script development at VH1.
In the following video James discusses the new Academy rules:
JaSheika James
JaSheika James is JaNeika’s twin sister. JaSheika is best known for her work on the ABC show ‘Revenge’.
In the following clip James shares her setbacks in Hollywood and the courage it took to transition from the show Revenge to Empire:
Attica Locke
Attica Locke is the author of ‘Black Water Rising’, which was nominated for a 2010 NAACP Image Award, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the book was also long-listed for an Orange Prize in the UK.
In the following video Locke discusses her novel, ‘The Cutting Season’ which was chosen as the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle selection for the week:
Robert Munic
Robert Munic is a writer and producer best known for ‘They Call Me Sirr’ and ‘The Cleaner’.
In the following clip Munic discusses the way he which he took his career into his own hands in order to establish himself:
Carlito Rodriguez
Carlito Rodriguez is a writer who has contributed to numerous media outlets, including MTV and VH1.
In the following clip Rodriguez discusses his career as a writer and his work on the HBO show ‘The Leftovers’:
Jamie Rosengard
Jamie Rosengard is the Empire TV show’s Writer’s Assistant. Prior to Empire, Rosengard worked as Ilene Chaiken’s assistant on the ABC show Black Box.
Rosengard is from Dix Hills, New York. Her favorite Empire character to write for is Hakeem and her favorite show is Top of the Lake.
Malcolm Spellman
Malcolm Spellman is a writer and producer best known for The Sopranos and Our Family Wedding.
The following clip shows Spellman discussing Empire’s effect on hip-hop culture and what it demonstrates about changes in Hollywood.
