The Cast Of Empire Have Written A Letter Demanding Jussie Smollett Returns To The Show

If you thought the Jussie Smollett drama was over you’d be wrong – because the cast of Empire aren’t letting it go that easy.

The 36-year-old actor was axed from the hit TV show when he was accused of staging his own hate crime back in January. Since then, all charges against Jussie have been dropped – however there is no sign of him returning to Empire.

E! have reported that fellow Empire stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P.Henson, along with others, have penned a letter to Fox and Disney execs as well as other producers on the show and demanded Jussie’s role be an integral part of future seasons. Deadline reports that Wednesday night’s episode of Empire was the last one that features Jussie this season.

“Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett and ask that our co-star, brother and friend be brought back for our sixth season of Empire,” the correspondence began.

“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,” they wrote. “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.”

The cast also praised Jussie’s volunteer work and advocacy with organisations such as the Trevor Project, the Rainbow Push Coalition, The Black AIDS Institute and the school he adopted in Chicago.

“It is why now, more than ever, we must stand together as a family,” the cast concluded. “A family is there for us in good times and bad. It can cut through the noise and confusion to understand that there is a person in the center of all this who deserves nothing more than to move forward with his life.”

The letter was signed by Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray. Trai Byers, Gabourey Sidibe and Nicole Ari Parker.

• Empire
• jussie smollett