Life for filmmaker/prodcuer Lee Daniels keeps getting better.
As if being the name behind the hugely popular ?Empire? weren?t enough, this week Daniels inked a multi-year deal with 20th Century Fox Television ?to write, direct and supervise new projects while remaining as executive producer of Empire.?
“Lee Daniels has a gift for telling authentic, provocative stories that are both truthful and wildly entertaining,” Fox Television Group chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden said in a statement. “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.”
Earlier this year, Target Market News reported that, ?After passing the nine million mark last week in the number of Black TV viewers, the Wednesday night drama added nearly another half million viewers in the first week of March. That makes seven consecutive weeks of continuous audience growth, and the first time that such an increase can be credited to Black households.?
Of the new deal with 20th Century, Daniels says, ?I?m incredibly excited to continue my relationship with Dana and Gary, and the rest of the Fox team. I?m looking forward to developing content and finding alternative voices for both in front of and behind the camera.?
“Empire’s” first season began in January and ended in March. Season 2 is scheduled to air in September 2015.
In addition to ?Empire,? Daniels? other projects include ?Monster?s Ball,? ?Lee Daniels? The Butler? and ?Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire.?
CLICK HERE for more on “Empire’s” rise in ratings.
