Empire To End After Upcoming Season 6; Still No Plans" For Jussie Smollett Return

(Deadline) The reign of Empire on Fox is coming to an end next year. Just two weeks after the Charlie Collier-run Fox Entertainment renewed Lee Daniels and Danny Strongs hip hop drama for a sixth season and guided Jussie Smollett toward the exit door it was announced Monday during Foxs pre-upfront call that the self-described groundbreaking cultural phenomenon" will be canceled once Season 6 is done next year. We are turning the final season into a large TV event we are trying to go out guns a-blazing" Collier said on the call of Empires last season which will be 20 episodes. You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve." Questioned about the possibility that the legally challenged Smollett could return for the final season Collier dodged and replied with language reminiscent of last months press release. Theres an option to have Jussie in the series but we have no plans for that" he said noting that the writers room for Season 6 hasnt been opened yet. Dropped less than a week after the fifth season of Empire wrapped up with its Casablanca-ish finale Mondays news also included the shifting of the Chicago-filmed series back to its original Tuesday 9 PM slot meaning a primetime team-up with an also-moved The Resident and its third season.