Fox renews 'Empire' without Jussie Smollett's character

FILE PHOTO: Actor Jussie Smollett makes a court appearance at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 14, 2019. E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – U.S. television network Fox Corp on Tuesday renewed drama series “Empire” for a sixth season but said there were no plans to bring back the character played by Jussie Smollett, the actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime in January.

Chicago police accused Smollett of making up an attack against him, but the actor maintained his innocence and prosecutors dismissed criminal charges against him.

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Lisa Shumaker

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source: reuters.com