Viewers can expect a lot more salacious drama, family conflicts, tempestuous romances and power struggles in the second season of the "Empire."

"If season one was built on the premise of 'who will inherit the throne?' season two is 'warring kingdoms,'" writer and executive producer Ilene Chaiken teased for reporters on Friday, Sept. 18.

"Empire" is set to return to Twenty First Century Fox's broadcast network this coming Wednesday after drawing an average of 17.3 million viewers per episode in its first season earlier this year.

The highest-rated new hit TV series is about a drug runner -turned-music-mogul Lucious Lyon - portrayed by Terrence Howard - who pits his three sons against each other with the assurance that one will become heir to his record company Empire Entertainment. The debut season followed the family as they attempted to bolster their power in the world of hip hop, Reuters reported.

However, the adventure becomes more intense with the extremely single-minded, prison-hardened, aggressive matriarch Cookie Lyon - played by actress Taraji P. Henson - playing as the main antagonist.

"In a matter of moments, (Henson) can go from the most raucous and flamboyant to the most heartwarming and touching," Ilene said. "This character hasn't been on television before."

The second season of "Empire" picks up three months after the first season left off.  Lucious is in prison on a murder case while his son Jamal - portrayed by Jussie Smolett - is running his company.

Ilene hinted that the shifting power dynamics in the family will bring out new sides of the characters as relationships go forward, International Design Times reported. "They're people that love and hate one another all at once. You'll see as many moments where they have each other's backs as they are stabbing each other in the back," she said.

Aside from the compelling story itself, the show's music has also garnered the limelight and the "Empire" soundtrack -- which featured Terrence and Jussie together with artists as Jennifer Hudson, Timbaland and Mary J Blige - debuted at Billboard's 200 album chart top spot.

Ilene divulged more new songwriters will be involved in creating the second season's soundtrack. Too, the show will continue its trend of featuring celebrity cameos which include Grammy-winning R&B artist Alicia Keys, Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei and comedian Chris Rock.