Empire The Roughest Day (Season 5, Episode 18)
TV-14
TV Episode | 44 min | Drama, Music

Empire

The Roughest Day (Season 5, Episode 18)

TV-14

TV Episode | 44 min | Drama, Music

As Cookie and Lucious deal with each other's betrayals, they wonder if this could be the end for their relationship; Andre's life hangs in the balance; the feds close in and the mystery of who is in the coffin is finally revealed.

Showrunner

Brett Mahoney

Director

Craig Brewer

Writers

Lee Daniels (created by) | Danny Strong (created by) | Brett Mahoney (written by) | Felicia D. Henderson (written by)

Producers

Jessica Badenoch | Janeika James | JaSheika Ashel James (as JaSheika James) | Richard S. Lederer (produced by) | Brett Mahoney

Composer

Fil Eisler

Editor

Eli Nilsen

Casting Directors

Leah Daniels Butler | Claire Simon

Production Designer

Chase Harlan

See all filmmakers & crew (153)

Edit Released

Updated May 8, 2019

Release date

May 8, 2019 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

Nominated for 8 Primetime Emmy Awards. Another 30 wins & 98 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
38 cast members

Name	Known for
Terrence Howard Lucious Lyon (as Terrence DaShon Howard) Lucious Lyon (as Terrence DaShon Howard) See fewer	Hustle & Flow (2005)
Bryshere Y. Gray Hakeem Lyon Hakeem Lyon See fewer	Empire (2015)
Jussie Smollett Jamal Lyon (credit only) Jamal Lyon (credit only) See fewer	Empire (2015)
Trai Byers Andre Lyon Andre Lyon See fewer	Empire (2015)
Gabourey Sidibe Becky Becky See fewer	Precious (II) (2009)
Ta'Rhonda Jones Porsha (credit only) Porsha (credit only) See fewer	The Perfect Christmas Present (2017)
Serayah Tiana Brown Tiana Brown See fewer	Empire (2015)
Nicole Ari Parker Giselle Giselle See fewer	Boogie Nights (1997)
Andre Royo Thirsty Rawlings Thirsty Rawlings See fewer	Super (I) (2010)
Chet Hanks Blake Blake See fewer	Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (I) (2008)
Rhyon Nicole Brown Maya (credit only) Maya (credit only) See fewer	Empire (2015)
A.Z. Kelsey Jeff Kingsley Jeff Kingsley See fewer	Empire (2015)
Taraji P. Henson Cookie Lyon Cookie Lyon See fewer	The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Wood Harris Damon Cross Damon Cross See fewer	Remember the Titans (2000)
Vivica A. Fox Candace Candace See fewer	Independence Day (1996)
Tasha Smith Carol Hardaway Carol Hardaway See fewer	The Whole Ten Yards (2004)
Tisha Campbell Brooke Brooke See fewer	Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Opal Staples Tasha Tasha See fewer	Chi-Raq (2015)
Melanie McCullough Denise Denise See fewer	Chicago Med (2015)
Meta Golding Teri Teri See fewer	Rabbit Hole (2023)
Mario Devon Devon See fewer	Freedom Writers (2007)
Amanda Detmer Tracy Tracy See fewer	Final Destination (2000)
Alicia Coppola Meghan Conway Meghan Conway See fewer	National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Skylan Brooks Quincy Quincy See fewer	The Darkest Minds (2018)
Kevin Wigfall Webb (as Kevin 'Webb' Wigfall) Webb (as Kevin 'Webb' Wigfall) See fewer	Empire (2015)
Frederick Paul Williams Pastor Brown Pastor Brown See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)
Damon Groves Street Vendor Street Vendor See fewer	Empire (2015)
Audrey Francis Female FBI Agent Female FBI Agent See fewer	ER (1994)
William Smillie FBI Agent Todd Davis FBI Agent Todd Davis See fewer	Untamed (2025)
Curlie Curry ER Nurse ER Nurse See fewer	Easy (2016)
Cesar Jaime ER Doctor ER Doctor See fewer	The Delmonic Interviews (2002)
Charin Alvarez Trauma Nurse Trauma Nurse See fewer	Signature Move (2017)
Erik Hellman Trauma Doctor Trauma Doctor See fewer	The Killer (2023)
Frank Nall Transplant Surgeon Transplant Surgeon See fewer	Spy Game (2001)
Christine Busanelli Nurse Sherry Kaufman (uncredited) Nurse Sherry Kaufman (uncredited) See fewer	Christmas Crashers
Carmelo Oquendo Bodyguard (uncredited) Bodyguard (uncredited) See fewer	The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Rekkhan Engineer (uncredited) Engineer (uncredited) See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)
Adam Thiele FBI Agent (uncredited) FBI Agent (uncredited) See fewer	Empire (2015)