The drama behind the scenes on Empire season 5 is not yet over. However, because of legal complications, Fox has ordered the show to remove Jussie Smollett in the last two episodes of the season.
In a statement made to The Wrap, the co-creators and executive producers of the show, headed by Lee Daniels, confirmed that they are removing the character of Jamal (played by Smollett) in the last two episodes of Empire season 5. The decision was supposed to go in line with FOX's order.
The network also released a statement saying it is looking into different options for Smollett. "We understand the seriousness of this matter, and we respect the legal process," the statement read.
In late January, Smollett filed a police report alleging that he was attacked and was a victim of a hate crime. He claimed that because he is a gay black man, he was targeted by homophobes and racists who tied a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him.
But Chicago police officials soon turned their investigation against Smollett as the victim. They gathered other evidence to arrest the actor on the grounds that he falsified the claim and was working with his attackers.
The police also said that Smollett paid off people to beat him to help create issues to boost his career. But according to TMZ, the show's executives doubted this claim since Smollett never expressed any pay gripes or hinted he felt underpaid for his work in Empire season 5.
Smollett and his co-star Bryshere Y. Gray reportedly get $125,000 per episode. The show's bigger stars, such as Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, who play Smollett's parents, reportedly get $250,000 per episode.
The actor insists he is innocent of the charges laid by the police. As part of Empire since the show debuted in 2015, Smollett has always shown integrity in his work. He also felt the justice system betrayed him, as per his lawyers.
Meanwhile, Smollett's TV dad on Empire posted a video on Instagram last Sunday, Feb 24, to express his support. Howard said in the comments that he knows Smollett would never conceive an ugly plan to boost his career.
Empire season 5 will return to FOX on Wednesday, March 13, at 8:00 p.m. following a three-month hiatus. The cast has been back on the set since January to work on the remaining episodes of the season.
