'Empire' Renewed for Season 6, 'No Plans' For Jussie Smollett to Return
"Empire" will continue its reign — without Jussie Smollett.
Fox has renewed the music drama for a sixth season, but there are "no plans" for the embattled actor to appear as Jamal Lyon.
Smollett had been written out of the final two episodes of Season 5 while controversy swirled around him.
"By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to 'Empire,'" Fox and producer 20th Century Fox TV said Tuesday in a statement.
In January, Smollett claimed to be the victim of a homophobic and racist attack. The case underwent twists and turns, with Smollett later charged with filing a false police report. Those charges were eventually dismissed.
After he was cleared, his co-stars — led by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson — reportedly wrote a letter to Fox advocating for Smollett to return to the show in Season 6.
"We must stand together as a family. A family is there for us in good times and bad," they wrote.
Jamal was given a happy sendoff, marrying Kai (Toby Onwumere) and leaving for the honeymoon.
In response to Fox's statement, Smollett's representative said, “We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on 'Empire' in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open. Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and Empire leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”