Most recently, it has been announced that FOX would be renewing Empire for another season and so despite the controversy which surrounded a show's cast member, Jussie Smollet. While rumors insist the show plans to continue without Smollett, who played one of the series' core characters "Jamal Lyon," fans were pleased to find out the show would go on. Unfortunately for fans of its sister series, also created and produced by Lee Daniels, Star did not experience the same fate and was canceled after three successful seasons. Now with Empire's continuance confirmed, reports by Variety further indicate the series will conclude at its sixth season.
According to the source, Fox Entertainment's CEO, Charlie Collier mentioned in reference to the series' expected ending: "We are turning the final season into a television event. One of the great benefits of announcing a final season is to have the fans lean in and have the finale they desire." Evidently, the executive was questioned on whether or not Smollett will be returning to the show, and in response, he stated: "At this point, we have no plans for that. The writer's room for next season hasn’t even gathered yet." Hence as of now, there are no firm statements to make on Smollet's status with regards to the show.