Empire will officially come to an end at Fox next year with its sixth season, the network announced Monday. The music drama has been battling dropping ratings—as well as scandal, thanks to the ire surrounding embattled (former?) star Jussie Smollett. During a conference call with reporters Monday morning, Fox execs stumbled to avoid definitively answering questions regarding Smollett. The actor’s option to reappear on the series remains open, according to Fox Entertainment C.E.O. Charlie Collier—but “no plans” have been made for his return.

Smollett’s troubles began in late January, when the actor was hospitalized following what he claimed was a racist, homophobic attack. Police initially investigated the incident as a possible hate crime, but eventually set their sights on Smollett, arresting him on 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Weeks later, the charges were abruptly dropped—though Smollett and his legal team have continued to battle lawsuits from multiple parties, including the city of Chicago. In the midst of all of this, Smollett’s character was written off of the last couple episodes of Empire’s fifth season.

During the call, Collier tried to focus on the end of the series rather than Smollett’s future on it, telling reporters: “We are turning the final season of Empire into a large television event . . . We are moving it to 9 o’clock, we’re putting it behind The Resident, and we really are trying to go out guns a-blazing. If you think about it, one of the great benefits of announcing a final season is that you actually allow the fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”

When prodded about whether Smollett’s legal issues had anything to do with the show’s cancellation, Collier demurred. “We are excited to see the show go, you know, out with a bang,” he said, “and really, that’s what we’ve been focused on. And that’s been great in these early-season conversations.”

When another reporter asked if there was any plan to bring Smollett back next season, mum remained the word.

“Oh gosh,” Collier said. “You know, really, the [writers’] room hasn’t even gathered yet. So we have the option to [bring Smollett back], but there are no plans at this point.”

Though the future remains uncertain, Smollett does have the support of several of his co-workers. Taraji P. Henson and several other members of the show’s cast have called for Smollett's return following the dropped charges. In an open letter, they wrote, “Throughout Empire’s five seasons working with Jussie and watching how he has conducted himself throughout this traumatic event, we have come to know not just the character Jussie portrays, but also truly come to know Jussie’s personal character. He is kind. He is compassionate. He is honest and above all he is filled with integrity. He is also innocent and no longer subject to legal uncertainty with the criminal charges against him having been dropped. We are confident in his lawyer’s assurance that the case was dismissed because it would not have prevailed.”

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