Chicago-born actor relishes role in 'Empire'

FOX 32 NEWS - A Chicago-born actor is causing trouble for the Lyons on "Empire."

Morocco Omari is playing the role of FBI agent Tariq Cousins on the hit FOX show. Cousins' main goal in the plot is to land his half-brother Lucious Lyon in jail. Omari is doing such a good job in the role, he's taking heat on the real streets.

"People in the streets say, 'Tariq, I hate you! And that means I'm doing my job," Omari said. "I just find ways as Tariq of how to get under your skin. I'm trying to find different ways to twist and turn the knife, you know?"

What makes those comments even funnier to Omari is that he said he could not be more different than the man he plays on TV.

"I'm just cool. I'm laid back. I'm not for conflict or anything like that," Omari said.

Omari grew up on the west side of Chicago. He is a former U.S. Marine who got bit by the acting bug years ago. His first role was in a commercial. He's under contract for several more episodes of Empire, which has fans on pins and needles waiting to see what happens.

"The more mystery the better, and that's the thing about Tariq.  He has a secret in his eye, just to keep the audience guessing," Omari said.