Empire season 6: Jussie Smollett not returning, Fox confirms

Empire season 4 episode 1

Is there a chance that Jussie Smollett could return to Empire season 6? There’s been a lot of confusion on that subject for a while, mostly because of the production company creating plenty of confusion of their own. When they decided to extend the contract of Smollett for another season, they created the impression that his departure may not necessarily be forever following the controversy early this year.

However, show executive producer Lee Daniels has since come out and confirmed that Jussie would not be coming back to the show; now, Fox has confirmed the same thing. Speaking to reporters at TCA (via TVLine), Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier confirmed that the final season of the drama is moving forward without the Jamal character:

“As much as anything in cases like this, and they’re all so unique, you try gather all the information … You try to make a good decision at the time. [Series creator Lee [Daniels] is right. There’s no plans for Jussie to return to Empire.”

Want to get more video discussion on EmpireThen take a look at our thoughts on the most-recent finale below! Once you do that, remember to subscribe to CarterMatt on YouTube so you don’t miss out on any of our scoop on the show moving forward into the new season.

We do think that there are all sorts of people who are going to parse this language and try to see whatever they want to see through it. they’ll look at the “no plans” part of it to mean that there is a chance the plan could change. Maybe that happens, but we don’t foresee it at the moment. Smollett’s case and the litigation that is still out there is a huge distraction from everything else that the cast and crew are doing. If it makes it harder for them to work, or harder for the producers to try and tell their story, is there any real point in bringing him back?

The final season of Empire will launch this fall, where it will air at a new night and time on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. Eastern following The Resident. It’s a shame that the Jamal character has to suffer for things away from the story of the show, but it’s hard to separate art from life in some situations. This is a prime example of that.

Related News Be sure to get some more news about Empire and the final season

Do you think Fox is making the right move on Jussie Smollett?

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