Fox renews Empire for sixth season!
Despite offscreen drama, Empire Season 6 is a go! Fox has officially renewed its popular television drama Empire (via Deadline), though actor Jussie Smollett’s future remains in doubt following the January 29 incident in which he was allegedly attacked in Chicago. The actor was charged with 16 felonies after it was revealed that he had staged the attack himself. Yet, said felonies were erased from his record “in exchange for forfeiting a $10,000 bond and credit for a then-recent stint of 20 hours of community service,” according to the report.
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“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for Season 6, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire,” Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV explained in a statement.
Despite the circumstances surrounding Smollett, the Fox hip-hop drama continues to produce for the television company. Per Deadline, Empire was “well represented” during a New Fox sizzle reel following Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Empire stars Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Xzibit, Rumer Willis, Andre Royo, and Terrell Carter. In addition to the regular cast, the series has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Demi Moore, Forest Whitaker, Alfre Woodard, Taye Diggs, and Phylicia Rashad.
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From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, Empire was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong and is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Brett Mahoney and Dennis Hammer.
