Empire come back but Jussie SmollettThe return is less likely.
Fox has renewed the musical drama for a sixth season, the network announced on Tuesday, but it will probably be without Smollett, whose future in the series remains less clear. Although Fox made no mention of Smollett in his announcement, it seems that there is "no plan" to bring his character, Jamal Lyon, for the moment.
"By common 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 come back to Empire," Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV said in a joint statement to ET.
Smollett, the second son of Lyonnais, was writing about the last two episodes of season five after his arrest in February for allegedly filing a false police report in which he claimed to have been a victim of a crime motivated by the hatred. All charges against Smollett have since been dropped, although the city of Chicago is seeking a reimbursement from the actor to cover more than $ 130,000 in investigative costs, which Smollett has refused. discover.
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Jussie Smollett on the FOX empire
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EMPIRE: G-R: Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett in the episode EMPIRE titled "Treasons, Stratagems, and Spoils" aired Wednesday, Nov. 14 (8 pm-9pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: G-R: Taraji P. Henson and director Jussie Smollett in the episode "What is Done" from EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, November 7 (8:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: Director Jussie Smollett behind the scenes of the EMPIRE episode "What is Done"? aired on Wednesday, November 7 (8 pm-9pm ET / local time) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: L-R: Terrence Howard and director Jussie Smollett behind the scenes of the episode "What is Done" from EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: G-R: Jussie Smollett and Taraji P. Henson in the episode "The Depth of Grief" from EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, Oct. 31 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett in the episode of EMPIRE – The Depth of Grief & # 39; aired on Wednesday, October 31 (8 pm to 9 pm ET) by FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: L-R: Bryshere Y. Gray and Jussie Smollett in the "Love All, Trust a Few" episode of the EMPIRE broadcast aired on Wednesday, October 17 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: From left to right: Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Y. Gray in the episode "Pride" of EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, Oct. 10 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: From left to right: Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Y. Gray in the episode "Pride" of EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, Oct. 10 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett in the episode of "EMPIRE" Pay For Their Presumptions & # 39; aired on Wednesday, October 3 (8 pm-9pm ET / local time) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: G-J: Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Gray and Trai Byers in the final episode of the season of The Empire Unposessd, airing on Wednesday, May 23 (from 8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: LR: Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon and Trai Byers as Andre Lyon in the fifth season of EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, September 26 ( 8: 00-9: 00 ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: photo from left to right: Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smollett and Andre Royo in the episode "Slave to Memory" of EMPIRE aired on Wednesday, December 13 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: In the photo, Trai Byers, Gabourey Sidibe and Jussie Smollett in the episode EMPIRE of the "War of Bleeding" aired on Wednesday, October 18 (8:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: Photo from left to right: Terrel Carter and Jussie Smollett in the episode of "EMPIRE" Evil Manners & # 39; aired on Wednesday, October 11 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
EMPIRE: Photo from left to right: Jussie Smollett and Gabourey Sidibe in the "Full Circle" episode of Wednesday, October 4 (8 pm to 9 pm ET / PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
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"Empire continues to break down the barriers with his emotionally powerful narrative, and he remains an essential part of Fox's legacy, "said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Entertainment at EmpireRenewal announcement. "We want to thank everyone on the show – Taraji [[[[P. Henson], Terrence [[[[Howard]and the whole cast, as well as [executive producers] Lee [[[[Daniels], Danny [[[[strong], Brett[[[[Mahoney], Sanaa [[[[Hamri], Brian [[[[Grazer], Francie [[[[Calfo], Dennis[[[[Hammer]and their teams – all of whom have done a great job this season. We know there are still a lot of stories to tell, and we can not wait to see what they have in store for season six. "
In the last week Empire, Smollett's bow while Jamal was wrapped in a beautiful bow when he said "I want it" to his longtime love, the journalist Kai (Toby Onwumer), in front of his close family and friends – including his parents, Lucious (Howard) and Cookie (Henson), who took him down the aisle – at a religious wedding at the church.
"I can not recite some wishes from the cookie cutter about love and marriage because I know deep in my heart that love and marriage are scrambled, more scrambled than I "I did not want to admit it before, but that's what makes it real," Jamal said in his last scenes. "Kai, I do not want a fairy tale with you, I want something real, something that lasts, like what our parents have … maybe a little less dramatic than the Lyons."
"Here's what I can promise, I promise you I'll be 30% messy if you want it too," he said. "I promise to forgive you as much as I ask for forgiveness, if you want it too, and most importantly, Kai, I'll be with you every day and I'll be with you and I'll love you forever, if you want too. "
The latest appearance of Smollett gave Jamal's story a positive note to finish for the season – and now, perhaps, the series, while pivoting toward a new drama, with the fate of Andrew in the air (again) after his aggressive treatments against cancer have weakened the point where he can only have weeks to live.
A source told ET that the climax of Jamal's scenario in last week's episode was a creative priority for Smollett. "It's an episode that Jussie really defended with the writers and a story he's proud of," the source said.
Empire Wednesdays at 8 pm ET / PT on Fox.
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Jussie Smollett protesters in the streets of Chicago
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Protesters organized by the fraternal order of police are calling for the dismissal of state prosecutor Cook County, Kim Foxx, on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, in the United States. ;Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Protesters organized by the fraternal order of police are calling for the dismissal of state prosecutor Cook County, Kim Foxx, on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, in the United States. ;Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Protesters organized by the fraternal order of police are calling for the dismissal of state prosecutor Cook County, Kim Foxx, on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, in the United States. ;Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Protesters organized by the fraternal order of police are calling for the dismissal of state prosecutor Cook County, Kim Foxx, on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, in the United States. ;Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Protesters organized by the fraternal order of police are calling for the dismissal of state prosecutor Cook County, Kim Foxx, on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, in the United States. ;Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Supporters of Cook County State Lawyer, Fox Fox, argue with protesters during a protest organized by the Order of the Fraternal police to request the dismissal of Foxx on April 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Defenders of Cook County Lawyer, Kim Foxx, argue with protesters at a protest organized by the College of Fraternal Police to request removal Foxx on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Police stand guard as supporters of Cook County State Lawyer argue with protesters at a rally organized by the Order of the fraternal police to demand the dismissal of Foxx on April 1, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Foxx is under fire after his office reached an agreement to drop criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
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