EMPIRE
STRIKES BACK
Empire may have been renewed for a sixth season, but the Fox series has “no plans” for Jussie Smollett’s character, Jamal Lyon, to return to the show following his headlinemaking hate crime controversy. The 36-year-old actor “is confident that he’ll get another acting gig,” dishes an insider. “But no producer or casting agent in their right mind would hire Jussie right now.” The network that made him a star did negotiate an extension to his contract, meaning Jussie will likely get paid for Season 6, regardless, and also allowing for the actor to revisit Empire in the future. “Fox execs aren’t stupid,” the insider says. “Having Jussie make an appearance, however minor, would cause a huge spike in ratings.”