‘Empire’ Season 3 Air Date, Latest News Updates: Phylicia Rashad Joining Cast As Cookie’s Future Mother-In-Law? Terrence Howard Promises ‘Darker’ Season

"Empire" season 3 is set to return in television to Sept. 21 with a bang! Based on several spoiler reports and updates, the third installment of the hit FOX musical series will allow fans to see some interesting turn of events, jaw-dropping revelations and shocking deaths.

One interesting addition in "Empire" season 3 is "The Cosby Show" star Phylicia Rashad. According to Variety, Rashad will play the role of Diana Dubois, who's the mother of ambitious city councilman and Cookie Lyon's (Taraji P. Henson) rumored love interest, Angelo Dubois (Taye Diggs).

Since the Dubois family is known as one of the most primogenial and most high profile African-American families in New York, the clan's matriarch will reportedly oppose her son's relationship to Cookie, who's a known ex-convict, WetPaint noted. Diana will also do everything she can just to groom her son Angelo for a higher office and nobody or nothing can stop her from pushing her son to the top in "Empire" season 3.

Aside from Rashad and Diggs, "Empire" season 3 also features a great ensemble of guest stars such as pop diva Mariah Carey (Kitty), singer-actress Sierra McClain (Nessa), singer Kid Cudi (Gram) and rappers French Montana (music mogul Vaughn), Birdman (as himself) and Xzibit (Shyne Johnson), The Hollywood Reporter revealed. As for Carey's guest appearance, her episode is reportedly set to premiere on Oct. 5.

Meanwhile, with all the previous happenings, tensions, conflicts and troubles in the series, "Empire" season 3 will reportedly comeback with a stronger, bolder, fiercer and darker storylines. As a matter of fact, Terrence Howard's character Lucious Lyon recently made a promise that the upcoming season will show fans "how dark hell can get," as per the latest trailer (via Indiewire).

In other "Empire" season 3-related news, one of the highly anticipated part on the upcoming season is the imminent death of a series' character. In an interview with Extra TV, Henson admitted that information about the character who will be killed off in the upcoming season had taken the whole cast by surprise.

"Empire" season 3 is set to premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. on FOX. For more spoiler updates, check out Parent Herald.