Empire Vs. The Lion In The Winter

As some may know, Fox's mega hit Empire takes a lot of its source material from the classic play and film, Lion In The Winter about Henry II of England and his warring family. Let's see how the two compare.

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The Premise

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Empire: An aliening music mogul must choose one of his three sons to be the next CEO his record company. This is further complicated by the return of his ex-wife who was recently released from prison.

The Lion in the Winter: The aging King of England must choose one of his three sons to be the heir to the throne, after his eldest son dies. This is further complicated by a holiday visit from his imprisoned wife.

The King

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Lucious Lyon: CEO of Empire and the man you love to hate. Diagnosed with ALS and constantly pitting his sons against each other for his company. Though he wants to give it over to his favorite, Hakeem, the youngest. "Claims" to have moved on from his ex-wife,Cookie, but the heart wants what it wants. If Lucious even has a heart.

Henry II: King of England and the man you hate to love. After loosing his eldest son must choose an heir, and would gladly give it to his youngest son, John. If John wasn't an idiot. Has graciously decided to release his wife, Eleanor, from prison for the holidays. He would realize he still loves her, if he didn't hate her so much. Or if she stopped trying to kill him.

The Queen

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Cookie Lyon: Outspoken, passionate and tough as nails. Recently, released from prison and wanting to take back what is hers. Her drug money did finance Empire after all. Not that anyone ever thanked her. Loves all her children, but Jamal is definitely her favorite. Still pines for her ex-husband, Lucious, but that doesn't mean she won't cut him down.

Eleanor: Queen of England and former Queen of France. She is too good for all your shit, and will tell you so. She has more money than she knows what to do with, and has helped England get out of a few binds. But that hasn't stopped her ex-husband from imprisoning her for years. Though this hasn't stopped her from loving him,but don't be fooled she still wants her revenge. And she will do whatever possible to make sure the son she hates the least, Richard, is on the throne.

The Baby

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Hakeem Lyon: the youngest and Lucious' favorite . Could have the whole company if he got his head out of his ass and got rid of his mommy issues. Talented, but fame obsessed. The only thing he loves more than fame is women.

John: the youngest and Henry's favorite. Could be the next King of England if he wasn't such an idiot. Easily manipulated by others, but some how does pretty well with the ladies. Probably because he is a prince.

The Mother's Favorite

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Jamal Lyon: the middle son, and arguably the most talented. Would become CEO of the company if his father wasn't homophobic. Thank God for mothers, he is Cookie's favorite and she doesn't care that he is gay. He cares deeply for his brothers, but that won't stop him from going after the company. He has the type of charisma that you remember and a voice you couldn't forget.

Richard the Lionheart: the oldest living son, and the one arguably best suited to be King. Would be king if his father didn't hate him so much, probably because he is Eleanor's favorite. A gifted solider, but was always stuck in his, now deceased, elder brother's shadow. His chances for being King are made even slimmer when his father discovers his affair with the King of France (which Eleanor already knew about). Yet, I'm guessing of all the historical characters listed he is the one you remember.

The Forgotten One

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Andre Lyon: CFO of Empire and the smartest one. Would probably be head of the company if he was an artist or anyone would remember he was there. His bi-polar disorder probably doesn't help either. Sometimes the one who wants it the most is the one least likely to get it.

Geoffrey: The brains of the family and the most manipulative. He would probably be king if his father or even mother remembered he existed. Sadly, even history is not kind to Geoffrey. Spoiler alert: he is the only one of the three brothers not to become king.

The Other Women

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Anika Calhoun: head of Empire Entertainment A&R and Lucious' fiancee. Extremely intelligent and extremely cunning. You get the feeling she was meant for bigger things than being a replacement for Cookie, who she hates. You would almost feel bad for her, if you didn't like Cookie so much. Warning: Don't get on her bad side.

Alais Capet: sister of the King of France and Henry's mistress. Was sent to England to marry Richard, but is now betrothed to John. But again, she is Henry's mistress. She want's to be Queen of England, but for some reason Henry won't have his marriage to Eleanor annulled. (wonder why?) She is done being a pawn and will do whatever it takes to become Queen.

The Foe

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Billy Baretti: owner of Creedmoor Entertainment, Empire's biggest music rival. Baretti oversaw the early year's of Lucious' career and then stole his money. Now, he is even stealing artists. He seems to have a vendetta against Lucious that will never cease.

Phillip II: King of France. England and France have always had a rivalry, but Phillip takes hating England to a new level. He feels Henry embarrassed his father, by stealing his wife (Eleanor) and for seducing his sister. He hates Henry so much he has even seduced his son, Richard.

Side Note: There are some big differences between these characters, but the facial hair is spot on!

Additional:

The creators of Empire have also cited Shakespeare's King Lear (which has been referenced in the show) and the primetime soap opera Dynasty as inspiration for Empire.