Empire season 5 episode 12 might have finally revealed who Luscious (played by Terence Howard) has been grieving for inside that casket. Andre (played by Trai Byers) learned in this episode that he's got cancer and apparently doesn't have much time to live.
Following a CT scan, Andre was diagnosed with stage 4 advanced lymphoma in Empire season 5 episode 12. He informs his girlfriend Teri (played by Meta Golding) that his clock is ticking but she tells him they will beat this disease together.
But last December, showrunner Brett Mahoney told TV Line that Andre's death isn't definitive. He's not yet exactly sure who is dying in the Empire season 5 finale, which will air on May 8, until he begins writing that episode.
"There is still a lot more to be revealed about that mystery as the back half of the season unfolds," Mahoney said at that time. "Andre will face life and death circumstances that will rock the entire Lyon family."
By now, however, Mahoney has obviously finished writing the scripts to Empire season 5. Does this mean that he has answered the season-long question with this week's episode?
Cinema Blend, however, argues that Andre's cancer revelation on Empire season 5 episode 12 might be too on the nose. If the show has been building the death since the first episode of the season, wouldn't this storyline be anti-climactic?
Meanwhile, rumors are rife that it's not just Byers who may be cut from the series if Empire is renewed for a sixth season. According to Deadline, FOX is contemplating on making Jussie Smollett's forced absence in the last two episodes of Empire season 5 permanent to cut their losses.
Thus, there's a big possibility that Smollett's character, Jamal, will be recast despite the fact that the charges against the actor have been dropped by the Chicago courts. An insider told the news outlet that it really isn't over for the Empire star.
Meanwhile, it's not all bad news for Empire though as sources also say the show is looking more likely to get a season 6 renewal. Mahoney will also be asked back as showrunner but the official announcement might not happen until late April or early May.
The series' next episode, Empire season 5 episode 13, which airs on Wednesday, April 3, will find Jamal's relationship with Kai (played by Toby Onwumere) becoming strained. The recording company will also launch its tour in Philadelphia, while the FBI begins their investigation into the company.
