Actor Jussie Smollett should not return to "Empire"

Jussie Smollett should not return to "Empire", the dramatic musical television series that has just been renewed for a sixth season.

Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV told HuffPost Tuesday that Smollett's character Jamal was not in the season. Fox is the studio that produces "Empire".

"By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension of Jussie Smollett's option for season six, but for now, it's not expected that Jamal's character will return to" Empire "", the statement said.

A spokeswoman for Smollett confirmed that the actor would not return for the moment.

"We were told that Jussie would not be on Empire at the beginning of the season but he appreciates the fact that they have extended his contract to preserve Jamal's future," the spokesperson told HuffPost. . "More importantly, he thanks the leaders, actors, crews and fans of Fox and Empire for their unwavering support."

The news was announced about a week after the other actors of the actor, the Empire actor, called for his return in the series 6. Smollett was interrupted at the end of the fifth season at the charges that he organized a racist and homophobic crime motivated by hatred. in Chicago and then filed a fake police report.

In a letter to several network leaders, Smollett co-stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard defend his reputation.

"Throughout Empire's five seasons of working with Jussie and observing her behavior throughout this traumatic event, we have come to know not only the character Jussie describes, but also to truly know Jussie's personal character. ", We read in the letter. "He is kind, compassionate, honest, and above all, full of integrity."

The actor was charged in February with filing a false report after an investigation by Chicago police and the FBI. In March, he was charged with 16 counts for disorderly behavior related to the alleged hoax. He pleaded not guilty and the charges were dropped later in the month.

Last week's letter to members of the cast said that "the extreme political climate in our country has only made our justice system and the court of public opinion more unfair".