When I first watched the trailer for Fox's new series Wayward Pines, I thought I was hallucinating when I saw Terrence Howard appear. I double-checked that I wasn't watching an Empire video and that Howard was staying put on 2015's hottest series as media mogul Lucious Lyon. I'm happy to tell you that there's no need to worry, because Howard is on both Empire and Wayward Pines. He will still be back for Season 2 of Empire, as he filmed his role in Wayward Pines before he ever played Lucious, according to the New York Post. In the new Fox thriller, premiering Thursday night, Howard plays Sheriff Arnold Pope and this character sounds both similar to and different from the head of Empire Entertainment.
The new series from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan follows life in a strange small town called Wayward Pines. "He's been hand-picked because of his particular nature to protect the citizens all foreign and domestic," Howard said of his character in a Fox video interview. "Sheriffs have to make a lot of tough choices." In the preview clip, we see Pope making the choice to encourage the town's citizens to enjoy life in the town — and also not to ever leave. Yikes. Sounds like the show has the potential to be another creepy Shyamalan production.
In honor of Howard pulling double duty on Fox, let's see how Sheriff Arnold Pope and Lucious Lyon compare.
They Have Different Jobs
First of all, Arnold Pope is a police officer and a man of the law. Lucious Lyon is a man who has broken the law several times — and knows how to hide it. Lucious is also incredibly wealthy, as the head of the media conglomerate Empire Entertainment. Arnold has his small town, but hey, power is power.
They're Both Controlling, But In Different Ways
According to Fox's official synopsis of the show, Arnold gets threatened by Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke (played by Matt Dillion) moving in on his jurisdiction. Arnold is focused on keeping order — and people — inside Wayward Pines.
As for Lucious, he will do anything — and is willing to go too far — to save and protect his family. His heart is often in the right place, but sometimes he's just plain selfish and only thinking of himself.
They Have Different Taste In Food
Lucious loves the finest things in life — after all, he can afford only the best meals with all his money. In the Wayward Pines trailer, Arnold simply loves to savor his favorite rum raisin ice cream. Hey, whatever makes you happy.
They Have Different Wardrobes
Lucious dresses in the finest ascots and probably wouldn't be caught dead wearing the same one twice. On the other hand, Arnold is a sheriff who wears a uniform day in, day out.
They Have Very Different Lives
Lucious is a family man — whether he's good at being one is another story. But he is surrounded by his three sons, his ex-wife Cookie, and even his former fiance Anika. As for Arnold, the town of Wayward Pines seems to be his only love. Well, that and his rum raisin ice cream.
Images: Liane Hentscher, Chuck Hodes, Ed Araquel/FOX; Giphy (4)
