Will Empire return or not? Recently, showrunner Brett Mahoney spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the future of the FOX TV show.
The drama series revolves around the Empire Entertainment company, founder Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), his three sons (Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, and Trai Byers), and their mother, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The show’s fifth season returns tonight, March 13th, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
In the interview, Mahoney addressed the recent scandal involving Empire star Jussie Smollett, who has been accused of filing a false police report:
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. You have someone in your family who’s going through this, while at the same time, we’re shooting the final episodes of the season, which are also just heightened emotionally. So it was a lot to deal with and a lot to go through, but we’re really just focused on finishing strong. We’re in our last week of production and I’m really proud of the work we’ve done this season, and hopefully the fans will really engage with these back nine episodes.”
And given the public, what are the chances of a season six renewal for the FOX series? Mahoney says he’s “confident” the show will return:
I’m confident about it. I know that the network and studio is really happy with what we’ve done creatively this season. I’m not surprised that we don’t necessarily have a pick up at this point as I think last season we waited until May. All the indications I have are that we will be. And we do have so many of these stories to tell, so I can’t imagine we won’t be able to tell them.”
What do you think? Do you watch Empire? Do you want a sixth season?
America has talent! Replace Smolett or cancel series
I WON’T watch Empire season 6 if they bring Smollett back.
Empire is such a unique show! Jussie hasn’t had his day in court yet, but I agree with some others that he would be easy to write out for awhile, if necessary. (His singing is amazing!)
I think Empire has run its course. However, like Scandal I should hate to see it go..
I really enjoy watching empire,i could watch it on repeat since there is no season six yet. But please please we do need the final episodes. XOXO
Yes, I like Empire. If Jussie is found guilty. Jamal ( the producer) can say he went to London to find his ex- boyfriend. He wanted to branch out with his own music and produce some new up and rising singer.
It’s worth a try.
With that being said. Good luck Jussie. Empire has to move on.
Much love Empire.❣️
Best wishes Jamal/Jussie.
Why should Smollett not continue his role ? there are alot of actors who have ran afoul of the law and have been given second chances , Margaret Stewart , and Rob Lowe just to name a couple . Jussie made a real mistake and IF guilty he shouldnt be punished in a JUST way , not over the top because its news. How many stars have been caught with possession , some with felony possession , (Cocaine) and been aloud to continue on on probation . Smollett is a human who like all of us will make human errors… Read more »
AMEN. LET THE MAN WORK. ITS DONE NOW. THE MAN IS HUMAN. WHERE ARE SECOND CHANCES. Robert Downey jr, Charlie Sheen THEY GOT LOTS OF CHANCES. LET THE MAN ALONE. GOOD LORD.
Empire and the cast shouldn’t be held accountable for what one person did (if Jussie is actually guilty, which I really hope is not true, but it doesn’t look good for him). Please just allow Empire to continue without Jamal’s character. Have him move to England or something that won’t need much of a storyline. It’s one of my favorite shows, it’s a great show and it doesn’t need him to continue entertaining me and millions of other people. I’ll miss his character but he hasn’t been all that integral to the plot of the show for a couple of… Read more »