Mo McRae Joins “Empire” as Gabourey Sidibe’s Love Interest!

Mo McRae

It’s official! Mo McRae, currently featured on TNT’s police drama “Murder in the First” as gang leader Malcolm “Sugar Cascade” Monroe, will be added to the cast list for the second season of Fox TV’s runaway hit, “Empire.” McRae is best known for his numerous TV show appearances over the years in major and supporting roles as well as his “Leon Haynes” role alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the 2006 football drama film “Gridiron Gang.” He was also in Lee Daniels’ 2013
film, “The Butler” where he took on the role of a Black Panther leader named Eldridge Huggins.

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According to Variety, McRae will be “J-Poppa” on the music industry-centered drama and the character is described as the”easygoing love interest” of none other than Gabourey Sidibe’s ” Becky,” Lucious Lyon’s dedicated assistant. Variety also reports that McRae’s “J-Poppa” will forge a closeness with Lucious’ oldest son, Andre (portrayed by Trai Byers) and will appear on three episodes — for now.

McRae seems excited about the opportunity to be part of one of the most popular TV shows around. He shared his joy via his personal Instagram page:

Beyond #blessed super thankful. Im going to get to play with #Lyons on #Empire Shoutout to Lee Daniels @theoriginalbigdaddy for always looking out and giving me a chance to dance with the talented @gabby3shabby and the rest of their great cast and crew. #Pumped #wow #EmpireSeason2 #Whhhhhooohoooo

A photo posted by Mo McRae (@itsmomcrae) on Aug 21, 2015 at 5:54pm PDT

In addition to his stint on “Empire,” McRae is gearing up to portray Civil Rights activist Stokely Carmichael in HBO Films’ adaptation of the Tony Award-winning stage play, “All the Way.” The film will take viewers through the ups and downs of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s first year in office after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The film will be produced by Steven Spielberg, directed by Jay Roach, and will star Bryan Cranston as President Johnson and Anthony Mackie as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be sure to catch the season 2 premiere of “Empire” September 23 on Fox!

-@ATLMJfan87