It looks like disgraced “Empire” actor, Jussie Smollett could be making a comeback for the final season of the Fox hit show, according to executive producer, Brett Mahoney.
“It would be weird in my mind to end this family show and this family drama of which he was such a significant part of without seeing him,” Mahoney explained, adding that, “It’s fair to say it’s being discussed, but there’s no plan as of yet to bring him back. There’s been no decision made.”
In June, sources began to report that Smollett would return in Season 6 of the show. However, Empire co-creator Lee Daniels quickly shot down the rumor on Twitter, saying, “This is not factual. Jussie will NOT be returning to Empire.”
Smollett portrayed the character of Jamal Lyon, son of star Lucious and Cookie Lyon, played by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. His character was written off of the final two episodes of Season 5 while he was in the midst of the now-infamous scandal over his staged racist and homophobic attack in late January. Smollett long proclaimed that he was beaten and called racial slurs by two white MAGA hat-wearing Trump supporters during a night stroll in Chicago. However, authorities found his claims to be falsified, potentially in an attempt to garner a higher salary on “Empire,” though the exact motive behind staging the attack remains unclear.
The show explained Jamal’s sudden absence by tying it into his honeymoon with husband Kai and the character’s desire to stay in London afterwards. But now, in the wake of his potential return, things could change.
