So Jussie hasn’t really got off scot-free for allegedly staging an attack on himself back in March.
The gay, black actor, most famous for his role the TV show Empire, has been cut from the cast for season 6 by the network.
While Fox did not explicitly state that the reason behind the decision was due to the controversy over the Smollett case, it certainly seems to be the most likely explanation.
Check out this news that hit Twitter:
TMZ had the following to say about the details of Fox's decision:
The good news for "Empire" fans ... the show is coming back for Season 6. The bad news for Jussie Smollett -- he's not coming back.
Fox just issued the following statement ... "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.'"Â
Yep ... sounds weird, that Fox wants to keep Jussie hanging just in case, but that's the deal. It could be ... Fox is hedging its bets, to see what happens in the civil case in which the City of Chicago is suing the actor for the costs of the investigation. The upshot of that case -- Jussie will be tried for allegedly faking the "attack." Â Perhaps if he wins, Fox will reconsider.
The Hollywood Reporter also commented:
Fox has renewed Empire for a sixth season, but it will continue without actor Jussie Smollett — at least at the outset.
The embattled actor was written out of the show's final two episodes of this season, and while he remains under contract, his character, Jamal Lyon, isn't scheduled to return.
"By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire," Fox and producer 20th Century Fox TV said Tuesday in a statement.
"We've been told Jussie will not be on Empire in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open," said a rep for Smollett. "Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and Empire leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support."
Smollett's future with the series has remained up in the air since he was charged with lying to police over an alleged attack in the early hours of Jan. 29. Those charges were eventually dropped, but Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of the season (airing May 1 and 8). His character was given an upbeat sendoff as Jamal married his fiancé, Kai (Toby Onwumere), and they embarked on a honeymoon.
Unfortunately for Jussie, he's learning his lesson that you can't escape justice the hard way.
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