FOX today (Monday, May 13) revealed that Empire has been cancelled and will end after season six. Empire has been cancelled just weeks after the controversy around Jussie Smollett saw the actor written out of the series. Empire season six does not have a release date yet but is expected to air later this year.
Why has Empire been cancelled?
The Empire crew has not revealed why the series will come to an end after season six.
According to TV Line, Fox CEO Charlie Collier told journalists: “We’re turning the final season of Empire into a large television event.
“We are going out guns-a-blazing. Six years is a pretty remarkable run for a drama series.”
When asked whether Smollett would be back as Jamal Lyon, he said: “There’s an option to have Jussie in the series but we have no plans for that.”
WILL EMPIRE RECAST JUSSIE SMOLLETT?
In April, fellow cast members like Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard penned a letter supporting the return of Smollett to the series.
According to Deadline, the letter began: “Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett and ask that our co-star, brother and friend be brought back for our sixth season of Empire.”
Though we do not know the reasons why Empire has been cancelled, the show has had a number of problems in recent months.
According to Deadline, the current series has suffered “new ratings lows”.
The show has also been mired in controversy following a potential hate crime against Smollett which the actor was alleged to have staged.
HOW MANY EPISODES ARE IN EMPIRE?
The charges where later dropped, though a judge will decide whether a special prosecutor will be appointed to investigate why they were dropped.
In March, Smollett released a statement after the charges were dropped, saying: “I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one…I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of.”
This case hit the headlines again last week as the Cook County judge who would be handling the decision stepped down from the case.
Judge LeRoy Martin Jr said in a statement: “I am not unmindful that the appearance of justice is important.
“I think it is prudent and wise that I transfer the matter.”
The cancellation of Empire comes as a number of its other shows have been axed in recent weeks.
FOX has also cancelled Star after three seasons, while Kelsey Grammer legal drama Proven Innocent will come to an end after a single series.
Empire season six has no release date but is assumed to return in mid-September 2019.
Empire season 6 is coming soon to FOX.