Forget the rumors of a triumphant return for actor Jussie Smollett. He may still be a fan favorite (for some), but don’t expect to see him make an appearance on the series finale of Empire.
See Ya, Smollett…
After the scandal that shook up the country, Smollett’s presence on the popular show would be too controversial for the core audience. As per Fox News, “Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn told TVLine that the actor would not reprise his role after being written out of the show.” For the “best interest of the cast” Smollett will sit this series finale out. Who even knows if he wanted to do it anyway?
‘Empire’ Was Affected
Once that whole situation that supposedly never happened in Chicago, where the actor claimed he was attacked, his reputation was pretty much ruined. Some of his cast mates supported him, while others surely felt his actions were unforgivable, whether they said so or not.
Empire was inevitably attached to the drama, and real-life started to affect the show’s success. Letting him go was apparently the only option the execs could feel confident about.
Life Goes On
As they say in showbiz, “The show must go on.” But no one ever said Jussie Smollett had to be there for a series finale. As per The Wrap, “The sixth and final season of Empire returns this spring on Fox.”
Source: https://www.thethings.com/we-wont-see-jussie-smollett-on-the-empire-finale/