0/5

Jussie Smollett removed from Empire episodes

Updated: Actor dropped from 2 episodes, as police document details phone records, rideshares, CCTV and receipts.

Updated:

“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” Empire executives Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement released Friday. “Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.”

Earlier:

Actor Jussie Smollett has apologised to fellow Empire cast according to media reports.

Yesterday he was 30 minutes late for filming after appearing in court earlier.

“I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls,” production sources quoting him told TMZ.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you,” Smollett reportedly added. “You are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.”

But the bond proffer outlining the police evidence has been published by TMZ and, presumption of innocence notwithstanding, is a devastating document which details phone records, rideshares , CCTV and receipts.

There are also suggestions some cast now want him fired from the show.

Actress Gabby Sidibe, who was one of the first to show her support with an Instagram post, has now deleted it.

”We understand the seriousness of this matter, and we respect the legal process,” FOX said in a statement yesterday. “We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.”

Empire has been shooting the penultimate episode of season five, while writers have multiple options they are considering for the season finale.