Season 2 of "Empire" will unfold over 18 episodes (the first season had 12), split into 2 halves, premiering in the fall (instead of as a mid-season replacement, which was the case during its first season), with the second half in the winter of 2016.

Fox says fans should expect even more "big-time" guest stars for next season, including Kelly Rowland, who E! News has revealed will appear on the hit FOX show this fall.

Rowland will play Lucious Lyon’s mother in flashback sequences. Series creator Lee Daniels did previously say that, in terms of what to expect from the writing staff next season, audiences will be taken back to the Lyon family’s more modest beginnings, incorporating more of the poorer-class African American experience into the storyline (likely via these flashback sequences).

"I think we’ve seen the opulence," Daniels said, adding, "but now we have to go back to where they come from."

Rowland joins other high-profile guest stars next season, like Chris Rock, who will appear in a prison sequence (and maybe more), which, as I learned, will be a flashback to Lucious Lyon’s past, when he was locked up. 

Both Rowland and Rock will be just two of a cadre of mystery guest stars lined up to appear in season 2 (although we know that Oprah Winfrey is one big name Daniels says he hopes to have on the show).

Empire’s VIP guest list for season 2 just keeps growing!

Who would you like to see on the show?