Fox is staying in the Lee Daniels music drama business: Chairman and CEO Dana Walden announced plans for pilot “Star” from the “Empire” creator during Thursday’s TCA panel.
“Star” will be set in Atlanta against the backdrop of the music biz, much like “Empire.” This one, however, will tell the story from the perspective of the artists: three girls who came together to form a band in hopes of rising to the top.
The new pilot contains the possibility for a crossover with “Empire,” but there are no immediate plans for such a stunt, Walden stated when asked by a reporter.
“It’s not inconceivable that the two worlds could cross, but that’s not Lee’s intention,” she said. “Perhaps down the line there will be some shared DNA, but not heading into the show.”
Daniels’ hip-hop soap opera “Empire” became the top drama across all of broadcast TV in its first season. During the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour executive panel, Walden referred to “Empire” as a “shot in the arm for broadcast.”
For Season 2, the show is already pulling in a treasure trove of guest stars, including Pitbull, Chris Rock, Kelly Rowland and Ludacris, among others.
“‘Empire’ has just sent a shock of enthusiasm and excitement throughout the halls of our company,” Walden said of her first year atop the network with partner Gary Newman, who joined her on stage Thursday morning. Both executives are still in charge of Fox’s TV studio as well.