According to reports, the future of the hit Fox show Empire could be in jeopardy due to Jussie Smollett‘s impending court case.
“Anxiety is high among the “Empire” cast and crew, because Fox has yet to renew the show for a sixth season,” writes TMZ, who reports that those who have been working on the show for years were reportedly supposed to hear news about its future for a few weeks now. Smollett’s character Jamal will not appear in the final two episodes of Season Five; per reports, his character will be “out of the country.”
Smollett returned to the Empire set after being released on $100,000 bail back in February. He maintained his innocence in his reported apology to the show’s team.
He appeared at a Mar. 12 court hearing to reportedly state his plea. Smollett was indicted on 16 counts of disorderly conduct after he allegedly filed a false police report in late-January. Ola and Abel Osundairo were reportedly hired by the actor and singer to orchestrate the attack, per the Chicago Police, who placed their evidence on a $3,500 check written by Smollett to the brothers. However, it was revealed that the payment was for physical fitness training.