TV

Jussie Smollett’s Empire character Jamal will remain on honeymoon as actor’s axed from season 6


Jussie Smollett will not be returning to Empire (Picture: Fox/Getty)

Jussie Smollett’s Empire character Jamal Lyon has said his final goodbyes and will never be seen again after heading off into the sunset with his new husband.

The character, which was written out of the show following continued legal troubles surrounding an alleged faked racist and homophobic attack in real life, was last seen getting married in the season 5 finale.

With the sixth and final season due to start in September, showrunner Brett Mahoney has confirmed that as far as viewers will see, he’ll be off living a happy new life off-screen.

Speaking to TVLine, he said: ‘Jamal is taking a sabbatical from the family.

‘He doesn’t want to be caught up in Lyon family drama, which is very much in keeping with his point of last season — that [the family business] should be something that the family moves away from.’

As far as show exits go, Jamal got a highly celebrated one, with the episode making history as the first ever black, gay marriage to air on American TV.

Jussie’s axing from the series came despite the entire on-screen family rallying around him with an open letter asking for his reinstatement.

It was signed by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson (who play parental figures Lucious and Cookie Lyon), Bryshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Kyon), Trai Byers (Andre Lyon), Gabourey Sidibe (Becky) and Nicole Ari Parker (Gisele).

The letter was never pubicly addressed by show bosses.

Jussie’s on-screen Lyon family united to publicly fight for his place on the show (Picture: FOX via Getty Images)

Filming for season 6 is currently under way, and to rub salt in the wounds further for Jussie the production team has been seen shooting in the exact location his alleged assault took place.

For those who need a recap, in January, Jussie says two men who beat him, put a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him on his walk home. He alleged that the attack was homophobic and racist in nature, with the perpetrators wearing ‘MAGA’ hats.

However, the claims later appeared to be false, with the accused Osundairo brothers claiming they were paid by Jussie to stage the attack.

He was charged with 16 felonies, including for faking a crime, and was indicted by a grand jury, but the State Attorney later dropped all charges.

Despite this, the city of Chicago are now suing the star for the cost of the investigation, which he is currently trying to get thrown out.

Jussie maintains to this day that the attack was real, and not fabricated as it has been claimed. He said the cheque made payable with the Osundairo brothers was for their services as personal trainers, to be in shape for a role in a music video.

Empire season 6 launches 24 September on Fox.



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MORE: Jussie Smollett calls on judge to throw out ‘perverse’ Chicago lawsuit over police investigation costs

MORE: Jussie Smollett pictured with rope still around his neck 40 minutes after making 911 call





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