Jussie Smollett is not returning to “Empire” — for now.

Fox announced on Tuesday that it had renewed its hip-hop drama “Empire” for a sixth season, but the network said that there were “no plans” for Smollett’s character, Jamal, to return to the series in the fall.

However, the network also announced that it also had negotiated an extension for Smollett’s option, which leaves the door open that his character, the gay musician son of the head of Empire Entertainment, could return at some point next season.

The decision essentially buys the Fox broadcast network and 20th Century Fox Television, the studio that produces the show and which is now owned by The Walt Disney Company, more time to decide Jamal’s ultimate fate.

Smollett made national news when he told the police that two men jumped him around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29 on a Chicago street, yelling racist and homophobic slurs, along with “This is MAGA country!,” a reference to President Trump’s campaign slogan.