There's no doubt that "Empire" is one of the most engaging dramas on TV and its season 2 cliffhanger finale one of the most shocking in recent history. With everything that has happened to the Lyons, what can fans expect from the show next season?

"Empire" ended its sophomore season run by continuously dropping bombshells on its already shell-shocked viewers. Aside from Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) and Laura's (Jamila Velazquez) devastating (non) wedding to Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Anika's (Grace Gealey) in-name only nuptials and Cookie's (Taraji P. Henson) heartbreak, fans were also treated to the revelation that FBI agent Tariq (Morocco Omari) is also Lucious' half-brother. What's more, it appears that Tariq's pseudo-father shot Joe Walker in point-blank range. And if that wasn't enough surprises for one day, Andre (Trai Byers) stepped out into the balcony where Anika and Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) were fighting and was heard shouting just as the screen went dark.

With so much happening, fans are chomping at the bit for season 3 to start, especially as "Empire" showrunner Ilene Chaiken told TV Line that season 3 is being set up as "a battle of dark vs. light." But whether Lucious is the dark one and his brother Tariq is the light one remains to be seen. The EP also teased that Lucious' marriage to Anika was the last straw that broke Cookie's back and her turning her back on her ex-husband will "color everything."

Of course, fans are no doubt anticipating whether it was Anika or Rhonda who fell from the balcony. It has been speculated that only one of the two actresses will return in season 3.

While fans will have to wait several more months before that mystery is resolved, one character that will definitely be returning is Freda Gatz (Bre-Z). The young rapper is currently behind bars after her attempt at Lucious' life ended with Jamal (Jussie Smollett) taking the bullet intended for his father. It was one of the season's more shocking twists, especially as Jamal and Freda developed a strong friendship. How their relationship will evolve will be shown next season.

Another relationship that fans will no doubt be waiting for is that of Jamal and Derek/D-Major (Tobias Truvillion). The two showed instant chemistry last season, but the mega producer clearly has some unresolved issues with regard to his sexuality when he went on a homophobic rant and accused Jamal of making unwelcome advances toward him when Lucious walked in on them. Fans can expect "Empire" to delve deeper into this storyline in season 3.

Fox has not set a return date for "Empire" season 3, but fans expect the show to be back in the fall.