‘Empire’ reportedly preparing for return of Jussie Smollett

Writers for “Empire” are preparing next year’s stories with the expectation that Jussie Smollett will be back for the second half of the Fox show’s sixth and final season, Variety reports.

Citing multiple production sources, the paper reports no final decisions have been made on his return, but the hope is that time will ease recent tensions on the show’s Chicago set between actors (mostly black) who believe Smollett is innocent of accusations that he faked a hate crime, and crew members (mostly white) who consider him guilty.

Though Smollett was written out of several episodes after the accusations arose, Fox and studio 20th Century Fox Television said in April that they had renewed Smollett’s option to stay with the cast through Season 6. A statement from both companies added, “At this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire.’ ”

A letter from the show’s stars had urged Fox and “Empire” producers to bring back the actor and added, “Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett.” It was signed by Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, and Nicole Ari Parker.