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Lady love? Marisa Tomei's lesbian billionaire might steal Cookie Lyon away from Lucious in Empire season two

Published: 18:29 EST, 9 September 2015 | Updated: 18:39 EST, 9 September 2015

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Empire might be replacing the tormented and passionate relationship between Cookie and Lucious Lyon with something very different in season two.

Speculation has begun that Cookie - played by Taraji P. Henson - might move on from her ex-husband to a new character: lesbian billionaire Mimi Whiteman (Marisa Tomei).

A photo released by FOX on Wednesday showed 44-year-old Taraji and 50-year-old Marisa looking cosy and happy in the new season.

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Lady love: A photo from Empire season two - showing star Taraji P. Henson (left) and guest star Marisa Tomei (right) looking cosy - has fueled speculation of a lesbian romance for their characters

While a photo is hardly definitive proof of such a drastic change for Empire's leading lady, it could be a hint.

Cookie herself indicated in season one that she had some experience with lesbian relationships while in prison.

'I'm not one of your jailbird mates,' a disdainful character - played by Naomi Campbell - noted in a doomed attempt to dominate the forceful Cookie.

Big change: The mother of gay son Jamal (left, played by Jussie Smollett), Taraji's character of Cookie has thus far been interested mostly in her ex-husband, Lucious Lyon

'I wish you were,' Cookie retorted. 'You probably would've made a good b***h for me - you look like you got a long tongue.'

Mimi will get to know Cookie early in the new season, when the hip-hop lover and corporate raider decides to try out the music business.

'She's one of those very, very rich people who thinks that it would be really fun to own a movie company or to own a music company,' Empire executive producer Ilene Chaikin told TVLine.

Hints: Cookie did remark at one point that she had experience with lesbian romance while in jail

On her own: The first season ended with Lucious in jail, leaving Cookie free to look at other options

The executive producer also confirmed that Mimi's sexuality was 'Perhaps not so much' of an unimportant issue for the character.

Chances for a Cookie-Mimi romance are enhanced by the fact that Ms. Lyon's former spouse and sometimes lover, Lucious Lyon, will begin the season in prison.

He might remain unavailable for much of the season - rumours have indicated that actor 46-year-old actor Terrence Howard's personal problems have led to Empire scaling back his lead role.

Fallen king: No longer in control of his business, Lucious will try to hold on to his power

The past few months have seen Terrence involved in a battle to overturn his 2012 divorce settlement with second wife, Michelle Ghent.

Terrence has also had to face questions about domestic-abuse allegations from his first wife, Lori McCommas, and an ex-girlfriend, May Seng Yang.

On August 25, the New York Daily News added to Terrence's woes by reporting that third wife Mira Pak had quietly filed for divorce from the Oscar nominee in the spring.

Hidden explanations: Rumours have indicated that Lucious will remain in jail during the season because actor Terrence Howard has had personal issues

According to a source quoted by Page Six: 'They have him locked up so you won't be seeing him in as many scenes.'

'But they are bringing in so many, and I mean so many, guest stars and cameos that the average viewer won't realize it because there is so much going on.'

Those guest stars include Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Lenny Kravitz - in addition to Marisa's recurring role.

Denial: FOX denied that there would be any less of Terrence, who has been dealing with two divorces (both old and new), plus resurgent allegations of domestic abuse from his past

FOX, meanwhile, was quick to respond that there would be no reduction in Terrence's role.

'Rumors that Terrence's role in Empire will be scaled back are patently untrue, as audiences will see when the series returns Wednesday, September 23 on FOX,' the network said in a statement to Page Six.