Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com
Question: Any scoop on the second season of Dead To Me? I just rewatched Season 1 and am dying for any intel on what’s to come next! —Christopher
Ausiello: I just screened all 10 episodes of Season 2 — which drop May 8 on Netflix — and am pleased to report that the Christina Applegate-Linda Cardellini dark comedy staved off the dreaded sophomore slump. Applegate and Cardellini’s frenemy chemistry remains off the charts, and the twists are as jaw-lowering as...
Question: Any scoop on the second season of Dead To Me? I just rewatched Season 1 and am dying for any intel on what’s to come next! —Christopher
Ausiello: I just screened all 10 episodes of Season 2 — which drop May 8 on Netflix — and am pleased to report that the Christina Applegate-Linda Cardellini dark comedy staved off the dreaded sophomore slump. Applegate and Cardellini’s frenemy chemistry remains off the charts, and the twists are as jaw-lowering as...
- 5/1/2020
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
With the broadcast-tv season coasting to an early end, TVLine asked which plot developments you hoped still played out on-screen before your favorite shows faded to black. And with several series already signed off, did any of you enjoy payoff?
In alphabetical order below, we’ve laid out the shortened-season wishes of both readers and the TVLine staff, then taken stock of which hopes were sated… and who among us is still left hanging. We will of course update this scientific document as the seasons still playing out near their respective ends.
More from TVLineThe Latest Season Finale Dates for NCIS: La,...
In alphabetical order below, we’ve laid out the shortened-season wishes of both readers and the TVLine staff, then taken stock of which hopes were sated… and who among us is still left hanging. We will of course update this scientific document as the seasons still playing out near their respective ends.
More from TVLineThe Latest Season Finale Dates for NCIS: La,...
- 4/23/2020
- TVLine.com
Fox has set Cheers alum Rob Long to write and the Gail Berman-run SideCar Content Accelerator to produce The Texanist, a multi-camera comedy inspired by David Courtney’s Texas Monthly column. The project had been on fast-track off-cycle development since the broadcast network in January acquired the IP and launched a search for a writer to adapt it.
Penned by Long, The Texanist tells the story of Dave, host of a popular Austin-area radio show that dispenses advice to Texas natives and newcomers alike on what, exactly, is the true Texas way. But the “Texas way” is changing — in good ways and not-so-good ways — and it’s Dave’s job, with the help of his wife and family and co-workers, to figure out which changes to embrace and which to reject.
More from DeadlineFox Corporation Imposes Temporary Executive Pay Cuts Amid Coronavirus Pandemic'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale,...
Penned by Long, The Texanist tells the story of Dave, host of a popular Austin-area radio show that dispenses advice to Texas natives and newcomers alike on what, exactly, is the true Texas way. But the “Texas way” is changing — in good ways and not-so-good ways — and it’s Dave’s job, with the help of his wife and family and co-workers, to figure out which changes to embrace and which to reject.
More from DeadlineFox Corporation Imposes Temporary Executive Pay Cuts Amid Coronavirus Pandemic'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Us District Court Judge Virginia Kendall ruled Wednesday that Jussie Smollett’s claim of malicious prosecution by the City of Chicago cannot move forward.
The judge did rule that Smollett can refile the case if he’s found not guilty in his upcoming trial on his original charges of fabricating a racially charged assault.
More from DeadlineJussie Smollett Rejected By Illinois Supreme Court In Bid To Halt New Indictments Over Fake Hate Crime - Update'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettJussie Smollett's Lawyer Claims New Indictment Over Alleged Chicago Assault "Is Clearly All About Politics"
A grand jury in February re-indicted Smollet on charges he staged a hate crime. Special prosecutor Dan Webb pushed for the charges after Smollett’s original 16 counts were dropped by prosecutors, a move that caused outrage in some quarters.
Webb filed a new...
The judge did rule that Smollett can refile the case if he’s found not guilty in his upcoming trial on his original charges of fabricating a racially charged assault.
More from DeadlineJussie Smollett Rejected By Illinois Supreme Court In Bid To Halt New Indictments Over Fake Hate Crime - Update'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettJussie Smollett's Lawyer Claims New Indictment Over Alleged Chicago Assault "Is Clearly All About Politics"
A grand jury in February re-indicted Smollet on charges he staged a hate crime. Special prosecutor Dan Webb pushed for the charges after Smollett’s original 16 counts were dropped by prosecutors, a move that caused outrage in some quarters.
Webb filed a new...
- 4/23/2020
- by Bruce Haring and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
It was all about the music — in Empire‘s case, a music dynasty — on Tuesday night in primetime. Fox aired its quasi-series finale of Empire, which wrapped on a high note earning a 0.8 in the adults 18-49 demographic and 2.94 million viewers. It may not have been the exact finale envisioned for the musical drama from Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, but with the best numbers in the demo since mid-October, it was an upbeat way to end its six-season run.
Over at CBS, it rained purple with Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince. The special, which was shot in January, honored the iconic musician who died four years ago to the day. Hosted by Maya Rudolph, the two-hour special featured performances by Sheila E., Morris Day and the Time, The Revolution, H.E.R., Miguel, St. Vincent and others. It was the night’s top-rated show, and second...
Over at CBS, it rained purple with Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince. The special, which was shot in January, honored the iconic musician who died four years ago to the day. Hosted by Maya Rudolph, the two-hour special featured performances by Sheila E., Morris Day and the Time, The Revolution, H.E.R., Miguel, St. Vincent and others. It was the night’s top-rated show, and second...
- 4/22/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox's Empire is done. Or is it? The series wrapped up its six seasons on television with an early finale, the proper series-ender was a casualty of the coronavirus. Production was shut down in the middle of filming episode 19 of the 20-episode final season. Instead, producers cobbled together a finale with episode 18 and what was shot for 19. Major storylines were left unresolved, like who blew up Cookie's (Taraji P. Henson) car and who shot Lucious (Terrence Howard) and whether they survived those attempts on their lives. While it remains unlikely the show will be able to shoot the proper finale, showrunner Brett Mahoney has made it clear he wants fans to get the ending somehow. "[W]e will find...
- 4/22/2020
- E! Online
Empire has come to an end. Sort of. Maybe. But also maybe not. The Fox drama was in the middle of shooting its second to last episode ever when production had to shut down due to the pandemic, meaning tonight's episode currently serves as the series finale, but it might not serve as the series finale forever, depending on what happens when production can resume. As showrunner Brett Mahoney told TVLine, there's a lot to consider, including whether the sets and the cast are still available. So for now, we've got tonight's episode, a sort of mishmash of what was supposed to be the second to last and third to last episode that featured two deaths, a breakup, a music festival, and...
- 4/22/2020
- E! Online
Will Empire ever get a proper ending? Recently, showrunner Brett Mahoney spoke TVLine about the possibility of a real series finale for the Fox TV show.
The drama series, which airs its series finale tonight, April 21st, revolves around the Empire Entertainment company, founder Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), his sons (Bryshere ‘Yazz’ Gray and Trai Byers), and their mother, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The cast also includes Serayah McNeill, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Wood Harris, Meta Golding, Katlynn Simone, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Nicole Ari Parker, A.Z. Kelsey, Vivica A. Fox, and Mario.
Read More…...
The drama series, which airs its series finale tonight, April 21st, revolves around the Empire Entertainment company, founder Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), his sons (Bryshere ‘Yazz’ Gray and Trai Byers), and their mother, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The cast also includes Serayah McNeill, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Wood Harris, Meta Golding, Katlynn Simone, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Nicole Ari Parker, A.Z. Kelsey, Vivica A. Fox, and Mario.
Read More…...
- 4/22/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the “Empire” series finale.)
“Empire’s” reign at Fox came to an end Tuesday with an episode that was never intended to be the show’s series finale but was instead forced upon the show due to production shutdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
TheWrap spoke with showrunner Brett Mahoney ahead of the hour, titled “Home Is on the Way,” about how he managed to cobble together elements of the completed 18th episode of the sixth and final season and the halfway finished Episode 19 to make an end for “Empire,” when it was supposed to close on Episode 20. And though what you saw tonight was the “spirit” of a finale, there are still questions unanswered and moments Mahoney had to leave out because they weren’t filmed — and because he and creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong maintain that they want to shoot a proper...
“Empire’s” reign at Fox came to an end Tuesday with an episode that was never intended to be the show’s series finale but was instead forced upon the show due to production shutdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
TheWrap spoke with showrunner Brett Mahoney ahead of the hour, titled “Home Is on the Way,” about how he managed to cobble together elements of the completed 18th episode of the sixth and final season and the halfway finished Episode 19 to make an end for “Empire,” when it was supposed to close on Episode 20. And though what you saw tonight was the “spirit” of a finale, there are still questions unanswered and moments Mahoney had to leave out because they weren’t filmed — and because he and creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong maintain that they want to shoot a proper...
- 4/22/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Spoiler Alert: This article contains details of tonight’s Empire series finale. You have been warned!
“I think it’s a fulfilling finale in the sense that it has the spirit that we want,” declares Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney of tonight’s end to the hip hop drama created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. “But no, it’s not completely fulfilling because I do feel there are elements, for instance the who blew up Cookie’s car, who shot Lucious, that we were not able to fulfill in this finale,” the executive producer also notes of a sixth and final season that ended two episodes shorter than originally scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More from DeadlinePilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series OrdersGeorgia's "Early Experiment": White House Briefing Turns To Wisdom Of Easing Coronavirus RestrictionsNetflix Is In Production In South Korea And Iceland And Will...
“I think it’s a fulfilling finale in the sense that it has the spirit that we want,” declares Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney of tonight’s end to the hip hop drama created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. “But no, it’s not completely fulfilling because I do feel there are elements, for instance the who blew up Cookie’s car, who shot Lucious, that we were not able to fulfill in this finale,” the executive producer also notes of a sixth and final season that ended two episodes shorter than originally scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More from DeadlinePilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series OrdersGeorgia's "Early Experiment": White House Briefing Turns To Wisdom Of Easing Coronavirus RestrictionsNetflix Is In Production In South Korea And Iceland And Will...
- 4/22/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Empire wrapped its six-season run on Tuesday with a final episode that carried with it a giant asterisk. Although billed as a series finale, the episode was actually an amalgam of the Fox drama’s antepenultimate and penultimate hours. The admirably assembled makeshift closer replaces the original swan song, production of which was, as you know, Ko’d (or merely postponed?) by Covid-19.
The episode’s patchwork-y DNA was at times visible on screen, particularly in the overstuffed final 15 minutes that crammed in a breakup (Lucious and Yana), two major character deaths (Yana and Big Bad Damon Cross), the long-awaited...
The episode’s patchwork-y DNA was at times visible on screen, particularly in the overstuffed final 15 minutes that crammed in a breakup (Lucious and Yana), two major character deaths (Yana and Big Bad Damon Cross), the long-awaited...
- 4/22/2020
- TVLine.com
Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos said the streaming giant’s global content machine is not entirely shut down but currently in production in South Korea and Iceland, and that the company can take what it’s learning there around the world as more areas start to open.
The situation is fluid, Sarandos said, but “those two countries are very aggressive about testing and tracking early” so they can “lay the groundwork for our future rollouts.” He made the remarks during a video chat following the streamer’s first-quarter earnings.
More from DeadlineNetflix CEO Reed Hastings' 2019 Compensation Totaled $38.58 Million'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettPilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series Orders
He didn’t name the shows. But his comments highlight a big advantage Netflix has in the current pandemic that has shuttered film and television...
The situation is fluid, Sarandos said, but “those two countries are very aggressive about testing and tracking early” so they can “lay the groundwork for our future rollouts.” He made the remarks during a video chat following the streamer’s first-quarter earnings.
More from DeadlineNetflix CEO Reed Hastings' 2019 Compensation Totaled $38.58 Million'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettPilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series Orders
He didn’t name the shows. But his comments highlight a big advantage Netflix has in the current pandemic that has shuttered film and television...
- 4/21/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Casual alum Tommy Dewey is set as a male lead opposite Eliza Coupe in Fox’s comedy pilot Pivoting, from writer Liz Astrof, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment and Warner Bros TV.
Written by Astrof and to be directed by Tristram Shapeero, Pivoting follows three women, Amy (Coupe), Jodie and Sarah, after the death of their childhood best friend. Faced with the reality that life is short, in desperate attempts to find happiness, they make a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions, strengthening their bond proving it’s never too late to screw up your life.
More from Deadline'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettEliza Coupe To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'Pivoting'; Tristram Shapeero To DirectFox Closes Purchase Of Tubi In Day Of Streaming Deals
Dewey will play Henry. Like the houses he builds as a private contractor,...
Written by Astrof and to be directed by Tristram Shapeero, Pivoting follows three women, Amy (Coupe), Jodie and Sarah, after the death of their childhood best friend. Faced with the reality that life is short, in desperate attempts to find happiness, they make a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions, strengthening their bond proving it’s never too late to screw up your life.
More from Deadline'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettEliza Coupe To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'Pivoting'; Tristram Shapeero To DirectFox Closes Purchase Of Tubi In Day Of Streaming Deals
Dewey will play Henry. Like the houses he builds as a private contractor,...
- 4/21/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Southland star Dorian Missick is set for a key guest role in All Rise‘s first-ever virtually produced special episode influenced by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a true social-distancing family affair, Missick will be joining his wife, lead Simone Missick, in the role of DJ Tailwind, who’ll be an ongoing presence throughout the episode, set to air Monday, May 4 at 9 Pm on CBS.
More from Deadline'All Rise' Returns To Production With Virtually Made Social Distancing Episode Amid Covid-19 Pandemic'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettPilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series Orders
Per producers, “the DJ is our guide through the streets of Los Angeles — a comforting, occasionally irreverent voice we hear as we see beautiful moving images of the almost deserted city, accompanied by beats and music. He’s an unknown...
In a true social-distancing family affair, Missick will be joining his wife, lead Simone Missick, in the role of DJ Tailwind, who’ll be an ongoing presence throughout the episode, set to air Monday, May 4 at 9 Pm on CBS.
More from Deadline'All Rise' Returns To Production With Virtually Made Social Distancing Episode Amid Covid-19 Pandemic'Empire' Showrunner Brett Mahoney On Tonight's Covid-19 Induced Series Finale, Possibility Of More, A Cookie Spinoff & No Jussie SmollettPilot Season 2020 Remains In Limbo As Networks Mull Straight-To-Series Orders
Per producers, “the DJ is our guide through the streets of Los Angeles — a comforting, occasionally irreverent voice we hear as we see beautiful moving images of the almost deserted city, accompanied by beats and music. He’s an unknown...
- 4/21/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
At one point in the series finale of “Empire,” the Lyon family sits around a table and discuss canceling the premiere of the Lucious and Cookie biopic that they produced because of safety concerns after Lucious’ (Terrence Howard) nefarious dealings have someone gunning for him — literally. It’s a moment that is both quintessential “Empire,” as the media dynasty family discuss their strength to stand against enemies, but also unexpectedly timely, as the production of the Fox musical drama’s final few episodes were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, making this 18th episode of the final season a forced series finale.
“We looked at the series premiere and said, ‘How can we end this in the most poetic way possible and honoring that really great series premiere?’ That was our inspiration for the true series finale, and we just had to let that go when I wasn’t able to shoot that,...
“We looked at the series premiere and said, ‘How can we end this in the most poetic way possible and honoring that really great series premiere?’ That was our inspiration for the true series finale, and we just had to let that go when I wasn’t able to shoot that,...
- 4/21/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
“Empire” will air its series finale tonight, though what you’ll see in the episode is not the ending creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and showrunner Brett Mahoney had planned to be the Lyon family’s final roar. This ending was forced upon the Fox hip-hop drama amid production shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, which did not allow “Empire” to complete filming on the remaining two episodes of its sixth and final season.
And though the network and “Empire” studio 20th Century Fox Television waited to see if there was any way shooting could resume so that the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard-led series could make its intended finale, the decision to end the show early with Episode 18 of what was meant to be a 20-episode season was finally announced in a teaser on March 31.
“It was really shocking and it was hard to accept — and...
And though the network and “Empire” studio 20th Century Fox Television waited to see if there was any way shooting could resume so that the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard-led series could make its intended finale, the decision to end the show early with Episode 18 of what was meant to be a 20-episode season was finally announced in a teaser on March 31.
“It was really shocking and it was hard to accept — and...
- 4/21/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
News that Empire co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong hope to someday give fans a proper series finale was greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism last week. After all, Daniels made a similar assertion last summer in the wake of Star‘s abrupt cancellation, promising fans a “movie of the week to wrap things up.” Such a project has yet to come to fruition.
Ahead of Tuesday’s makeshift series finale, Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney maintains to TVLine that there is indeed “a universal want and desire” to bring closure to the Lyon family after the coronavirus crisis ends.
Ahead of Tuesday’s makeshift series finale, Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney maintains to TVLine that there is indeed “a universal want and desire” to bring closure to the Lyon family after the coronavirus crisis ends.
- 4/20/2020
- TVLine.com
When “Empire” returns with the back-half of its sixth and final season next week, Hakeem has got the juice — and Andre has got a problem.
In TheWrap’s exclusive sneak peek of next week’s midseason premiere, which you can view above, Empire is getting ready to drop the trailer for the upcoming Empire movie, starring Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) as his father, Lucious Lyon. Andre (Trai Byers) tells the board the label is going to make an “event” out of the trailer launch, with a concert featuring a Hakeem and Tiana duet.
But, just as Hakeem gets up on the conference room table to perform a sample of the song he’s prepared for the Empire movie soundtrack — because of course he gets on the table — Andre’s head begins to play tricks on him, and he slowly zones out. Uh, needless to say, everyone looks a little worried...
In TheWrap’s exclusive sneak peek of next week’s midseason premiere, which you can view above, Empire is getting ready to drop the trailer for the upcoming Empire movie, starring Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) as his father, Lucious Lyon. Andre (Trai Byers) tells the board the label is going to make an “event” out of the trailer launch, with a concert featuring a Hakeem and Tiana duet.
But, just as Hakeem gets up on the conference room table to perform a sample of the song he’s prepared for the Empire movie soundtrack — because of course he gets on the table — Andre’s head begins to play tricks on him, and he slowly zones out. Uh, needless to say, everyone looks a little worried...
- 2/27/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The question surrounding Jussie Smollett‘s potential return to Empire for the Fox drama’s series finale this May can now be definitively answered.
“We’re not going to bring Jussie back to the show,” Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn tells TVLine. “There were a number of factors that went into the decision to not bring him back. There were many points of view about if he should come back or if he shouldn’t. As hard as a decision as that was, for us — and when I say us I mean the network, the studio and the producers — it...
“We’re not going to bring Jussie back to the show,” Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn tells TVLine. “There were a number of factors that went into the decision to not bring him back. There were many points of view about if he should come back or if he shouldn’t. As hard as a decision as that was, for us — and when I say us I mean the network, the studio and the producers — it...
- 1/8/2020
- TVLine.com
As “Empire” heads into its final stretch, speculation is sure to heat up that Jussie Smollett might make one final return to the series that he exited nearly a year ago. But according to Fox entertainment boss Michael Thorn, that’s not going to happen.
“He will not be coming back,” Thorn said. “As you would expect when you’re finishing an iconic series like ‘Empire,’ that Brett, as the showrunner, along with his producing partners, would certainly have discussions about what’s the best way to finish the show. In this case, Jussie will not be coming back for the finale.”
Smollett left the show toward the end of last season, shortly after Chicago law enforcement accused Smollett of staging a high-profile hate crime against himself. The producers, responding to intense public pressure, wrote Smollett out of the final episodes of Season 5 despite protests from Smollett’s supporters on the cast.
“He will not be coming back,” Thorn said. “As you would expect when you’re finishing an iconic series like ‘Empire,’ that Brett, as the showrunner, along with his producing partners, would certainly have discussions about what’s the best way to finish the show. In this case, Jussie will not be coming back for the finale.”
Smollett left the show toward the end of last season, shortly after Chicago law enforcement accused Smollett of staging a high-profile hate crime against himself. The producers, responding to intense public pressure, wrote Smollett out of the final episodes of Season 5 despite protests from Smollett’s supporters on the cast.
- 1/8/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for Tuesday’s midseason finale of the sixth and final season of “Empire.”)
“Empire” ended the first half of its sixth and final season Tuesday with a physical fight between Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) over his unwillingness to sign their divorce papers because he says he still loves her. The fight only came to an end because “White Tracy” (Amanda Detmer) stormed in and pointed a gun at the Lyons.
While the Fox hip-hop drama’s showrunner, Brett Mahoney, wouldn’t tell TheWrap if White Tracy is going to pull the trigger — and who she might hit if she does — when the show returns in the spring, he did tell us the situation with Cookie and Lucious just before Tracy puts their lives in jeopardy does “set up clearly what we’re talking about for the back half of the season.
“Empire” ended the first half of its sixth and final season Tuesday with a physical fight between Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) over his unwillingness to sign their divorce papers because he says he still loves her. The fight only came to an end because “White Tracy” (Amanda Detmer) stormed in and pointed a gun at the Lyons.
While the Fox hip-hop drama’s showrunner, Brett Mahoney, wouldn’t tell TheWrap if White Tracy is going to pull the trigger — and who she might hit if she does — when the show returns in the spring, he did tell us the situation with Cookie and Lucious just before Tracy puts their lives in jeopardy does “set up clearly what we’re talking about for the back half of the season.
- 12/18/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Spoiler Alert: This article contains details of tonight’s midseason finale of Empire‘s sixth and final season.
“I think what we’re seeing here is that this family truly loves one another, but they have a lot of baggage and they have a lot of drama,” Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney says of the Fox series’ Lyon clan as they head toward their final episodes. “So, the question is, at the end of the day, do they have enough love to keep them together or will the drama pull them apart?”
To that question, halfway through the supersized sixth and final season of the Lee Daniels- and Danny Strong-created hip hop drama, tonight’s midseason “Cold Cold Man” finale ended with a typical Empire bang — at least that is the implication.
With a humiliated and heartbroken Tracy Kingsley (Amanda Detmer) pointing a pistol at Terrence Howard’s mogul Lucious Lyon,...
“I think what we’re seeing here is that this family truly loves one another, but they have a lot of baggage and they have a lot of drama,” Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney says of the Fox series’ Lyon clan as they head toward their final episodes. “So, the question is, at the end of the day, do they have enough love to keep them together or will the drama pull them apart?”
To that question, halfway through the supersized sixth and final season of the Lee Daniels- and Danny Strong-created hip hop drama, tonight’s midseason “Cold Cold Man” finale ended with a typical Empire bang — at least that is the implication.
With a humiliated and heartbroken Tracy Kingsley (Amanda Detmer) pointing a pistol at Terrence Howard’s mogul Lucious Lyon,...
- 12/18/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Empire wrapped its final fall run on Tuesday with Lucious and Cookie staring down the barrel of crazy White Tracy’s gun — but did the Fox drama already kinda-spoil the outcome of this particular cliffhanger? TVLine rang up showrunner Brett Mahoney and cordially confronted him with that question before lightly grilling him about the other major developments in “Cold Cold Man,” including, but not limited to, that big Andre/Kingsley reveal.
Tvline | The flash-forward sequences that have been teased all season long involving Lucious and Cookie’s apparent deaths presumably take place after the events of the fall finale, which...
Tvline | The flash-forward sequences that have been teased all season long involving Lucious and Cookie’s apparent deaths presumably take place after the events of the fall finale, which...
- 12/18/2019
- TVLine.com
The sixth and final season of “Empire” hits its midway point with Tuesday’s fall finale, titled “Cold Cold Man,” and fans have more questions now than ever — including whether or not Jussie Smollett will reprise his role as Jamal Lyon for the series finale next spring.
“We still really don’t have an answer to that,” “Empire” showrunner Brett Mahoney told TheWrap in an interview Monday. “We’re still basically in the same position where we haven’t had a definitive conversation as to how to wrap up the character.”
Smollett was written out of the Fox hip-hop drama toward the end of Season 5, a few months after he claimed to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on the streets of Chicago in January.
Also Read: 45 Most Shocking TV Character Deaths of 2019, From 'Game of Thrones' to 'Stranger Things' (Photos)
An investigation was conducted, which...
“We still really don’t have an answer to that,” “Empire” showrunner Brett Mahoney told TheWrap in an interview Monday. “We’re still basically in the same position where we haven’t had a definitive conversation as to how to wrap up the character.”
Smollett was written out of the Fox hip-hop drama toward the end of Season 5, a few months after he claimed to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on the streets of Chicago in January.
Also Read: 45 Most Shocking TV Character Deaths of 2019, From 'Game of Thrones' to 'Stranger Things' (Photos)
An investigation was conducted, which...
- 12/17/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Empire may not end without an encore from Jussie Smollett after all.
TV Line is reporting that the Fox drama's showrunner is not ruling out the possibility of a return from Smollett as Jamal Lyon before the series says goodbye in the spring.
“It would be weird in my mind to end this family show and this family drama of which he was such a significant part of without seeing him,” Brett Mahoney told the outlet.
“It’s fair to say it’s being discussed, but there’s no plan as of yet to bring him back. There’s been no decision made.”
With discussions underway, it certainly sounds like Smollett could return for the endgame, even if it's just a cameo.
Smollett was an original series regular on Empire when it debuted back in 2015, but he was written out of the final episodes of Empire Season 5 after the actor...
TV Line is reporting that the Fox drama's showrunner is not ruling out the possibility of a return from Smollett as Jamal Lyon before the series says goodbye in the spring.
“It would be weird in my mind to end this family show and this family drama of which he was such a significant part of without seeing him,” Brett Mahoney told the outlet.
“It’s fair to say it’s being discussed, but there’s no plan as of yet to bring him back. There’s been no decision made.”
With discussions underway, it certainly sounds like Smollett could return for the endgame, even if it's just a cameo.
Smollett was an original series regular on Empire when it debuted back in 2015, but he was written out of the final episodes of Empire Season 5 after the actor...
- 12/17/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Empire may be getting the band back together for one final encore.
Showrunner Brett Mahoney tells TVLine that discussions are underway to possibly have embattled former cast member Jussie Smollett return as Jamal before the show wraps its six-season run this spring.
More from TVLineEmpire Fall Finale: Ep Talks Killer Cliffhanger, Clarifies 'Possession' Twist, Cheers Bossy Media 'Spinoff'The Resident Ep Says Viewers Should Have 'Deep Concern' for Conrad After Fall Finale -- Plus, Grade the Episode9-1-1's Michael Shares Difficult News With [Spoiler] -- 2020 First Look
“It would be weird in my mind to end this family...
Showrunner Brett Mahoney tells TVLine that discussions are underway to possibly have embattled former cast member Jussie Smollett return as Jamal before the show wraps its six-season run this spring.
More from TVLineEmpire Fall Finale: Ep Talks Killer Cliffhanger, Clarifies 'Possession' Twist, Cheers Bossy Media 'Spinoff'The Resident Ep Says Viewers Should Have 'Deep Concern' for Conrad After Fall Finale -- Plus, Grade the Episode9-1-1's Michael Shares Difficult News With [Spoiler] -- 2020 First Look
“It would be weird in my mind to end this family...
- 12/17/2019
- TVLine.com
Fox is crowning Cookie and Lucious king (and queen) of the world in its ad campaign for Empire‘s final season.
The series’ official Season 6 key art — scroll down for an exclusive first look — finds Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard’s respective alter egos striking a very familiar, Titanic-esque pose. The serious, sinister expression on Cookie and Lucious’ faces, however, stands in stark contrast to the decidedly more swoon-worthy vibe that Jack and Rose were giving off in the memorable scene from the 1997 film. Other key differences between the two images: Cookie is clutching a pair of mics,...
The series’ official Season 6 key art — scroll down for an exclusive first look — finds Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard’s respective alter egos striking a very familiar, Titanic-esque pose. The serious, sinister expression on Cookie and Lucious’ faces, however, stands in stark contrast to the decidedly more swoon-worthy vibe that Jack and Rose were giving off in the memorable scene from the 1997 film. Other key differences between the two images: Cookie is clutching a pair of mics,...
- 9/3/2019
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: We’ll be seeing more of Treasure, Teri, Damon and Devon on the upcoming sixth season of Empire.
Katlynn Simone, Meta Golding, Wood Harris and Mario who played the characters, respectively, in recurring roles in season 5, have been promoted to series regulars for the final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama series.
Simone plays Treasure, an up-and-coming artist that signed with the Lyon label and was part of the duo opposite Serayah. She appeared in 9 episodes last season.
Golding plays Teri, the love interest to the eldest Lyon son, Andre (Trai Byers), and the mother of Quincy (Skylan Brooks) who was wrongly incarcerated at the same facility as Andre. Golding recurred in 13 episodes last season.
Harris plays Damon Cross, an international money launderer who hopes to catch the attention of Cookie. Harris appeared in 10 episodes last season.
Mario plays Devon, an earnest, up-and-coming R&b singer who supports his ailing sister.
Katlynn Simone, Meta Golding, Wood Harris and Mario who played the characters, respectively, in recurring roles in season 5, have been promoted to series regulars for the final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama series.
Simone plays Treasure, an up-and-coming artist that signed with the Lyon label and was part of the duo opposite Serayah. She appeared in 9 episodes last season.
Golding plays Teri, the love interest to the eldest Lyon son, Andre (Trai Byers), and the mother of Quincy (Skylan Brooks) who was wrongly incarcerated at the same facility as Andre. Golding recurred in 13 episodes last season.
Harris plays Damon Cross, an international money launderer who hopes to catch the attention of Cookie. Harris appeared in 10 episodes last season.
Mario plays Devon, an earnest, up-and-coming R&b singer who supports his ailing sister.
- 9/3/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s an extended honeymoon and then there’s a permanent honeymoon.
Amid official word that embattled Empire star Jussie Smollett will not be returning for the Fox’s drama’s sixth and final season, it appears newlyweds Jamal and Kai will be enjoying the latter.
More from TVLineJussie Smollett's Empire Future Confirmed: Embattled Actor Will Not Return for Final Season, Says FoxJussie Smollett Not Returning to Empire, Lee Daniels ConfirmsFox's Friday Night SmackDown Promo: Regular People (Plus Snoop Dogg!) Make Like WWE Superstars
Speaking to TVLine ahead of the Fox drama’s Sept. 24 premiere, Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney says...
Amid official word that embattled Empire star Jussie Smollett will not be returning for the Fox’s drama’s sixth and final season, it appears newlyweds Jamal and Kai will be enjoying the latter.
More from TVLineJussie Smollett's Empire Future Confirmed: Embattled Actor Will Not Return for Final Season, Says FoxJussie Smollett Not Returning to Empire, Lee Daniels ConfirmsFox's Friday Night SmackDown Promo: Regular People (Plus Snoop Dogg!) Make Like WWE Superstars
Speaking to TVLine ahead of the Fox drama’s Sept. 24 premiere, Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney says...
- 8/29/2019
- TVLine.com
Fox continues to add to the cast of Empire, which will send the musical drama go out with a bang. The latest to join the roster of the sixth and final season is actress/singer Diamond White, who will appear in the series as a recurring guest star.
White will play Lala, a soft-spoken SoundCloud singer who sounds great online but is plagued with performance anxiety and cursed by an inability to sing in front of a crowd.
She joins recent additions to the series that include Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp who will also appear in a recurring role as well as Vivica A. Fox who was upped to series regular for the final season which premieres on September 24.
From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, Empire was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels,...
White will play Lala, a soft-spoken SoundCloud singer who sounds great online but is plagued with performance anxiety and cursed by an inability to sing in front of a crowd.
She joins recent additions to the series that include Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp who will also appear in a recurring role as well as Vivica A. Fox who was upped to series regular for the final season which premieres on September 24.
From Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television, Empire was created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, and is executive-produced by Daniels,...
- 8/19/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lethal Weapon alumna Keesha Sharp is set for a recurring role on the upcoming sixth and final season of Fox’s hit musical family drama Empire.
Sharp will play Dr Paula Wick, a smart, inciteful woman who offers endless compassion but doesn’t take sh*t from anyone.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Sharp most recently was a series regular on Fox series Lethal Weapon, which wrapped its third and final season in February, and currently recurs on CBS All Access’ The Good Fight. She previously recurred on FX’s American Crime Story.
Sharp is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Link Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson.
Sharp will play Dr Paula Wick, a smart, inciteful woman who offers endless compassion but doesn’t take sh*t from anyone.
Empire, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, hails from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox TV. Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Dennis Hammer, Matt Pyken and Diane Ademu-John executive produce. Brett Mahoney is executive producer and showrunner.
Sharp most recently was a series regular on Fox series Lethal Weapon, which wrapped its third and final season in February, and currently recurs on CBS All Access’ The Good Fight. She previously recurred on FX’s American Crime Story.
Sharp is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Link Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson.
- 8/12/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Just as Lee Daniels said, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett will not be returning for the hip-hop drama’s final season, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said during the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday.
“As much as anything in cases like this… you try to gather all the information, you try to make a good decision at the time,” Collier told reporters, referring to Fox’s decision to extend Smollett’s option for Season 6 when the show was renewed in April.
He noted at that time, however, there were “no plans” for the actor to return.
A month after that news, the network announced that the upcoming sixth season would be the show’s last, but wouldn’t directly address if/how Smollett — who plays the openly-gay Jamal Lyon — would be incorporated into that final batch of episodes.
Also Read: 'Empire' Co-Creator Lee Daniels Denies Report Jussie Smollett May...
“As much as anything in cases like this… you try to gather all the information, you try to make a good decision at the time,” Collier told reporters, referring to Fox’s decision to extend Smollett’s option for Season 6 when the show was renewed in April.
He noted at that time, however, there were “no plans” for the actor to return.
A month after that news, the network announced that the upcoming sixth season would be the show’s last, but wouldn’t directly address if/how Smollett — who plays the openly-gay Jamal Lyon — would be incorporated into that final batch of episodes.
Also Read: 'Empire' Co-Creator Lee Daniels Denies Report Jussie Smollett May...
- 8/7/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Will Empire return or not? Recently, showrunner Brett Mahoney spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the future of the Fox TV show.
The drama series revolves around the Empire Entertainment company, founder Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), his three sons, and their mother, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The show's fifth season returns tonight, March 13th, at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.
Read More…...
The drama series revolves around the Empire Entertainment company, founder Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), his three sons, and their mother, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The show's fifth season returns tonight, March 13th, at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.
Read More…...
- 3/14/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Empire is ending season five without Jamal Lyon. Jussie Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of the season while his real-life legal drama plays out. It was a "difficult decision," according to executive producer Brett Mahoney. "It was a very difficult decision, but I think in terms of allowing the cast and the crew to really get the work done without a great deal of disruption in terms of the day-to-day and the stress of the day-to-day, and, in addition, allowing Jussie the time to really deal with what he's been confronted with and allow him the time to focus and prepare his case, this seems like the logical decision to make," Mahoney told EW. Following Smollett's arrest on...
- 3/13/2019
- E! Online
“Empire” returns to Fox Wednesday for its Season 5 midseason premiere — the first new episode since Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged with filing a false police report.
As a matter of fact, Wednesday will mark the first new episode of the hip-hop soap since well before Smollett — who plays the openly-gay Jamal Lyon — told Chicago cops he was assaulted on Jan. 29.
The last original “Empire” aired on Dec. 5, which ended with Jeff Kingsley (A.Z. Kelsey) telling Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Andre (Trai Byers), Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) and Jamal that he is Lucious’ (Terrence Howard) son and a flash-forward showing Andre flatlining in front of his parents, giving fans more fuel for their theories about who is in that casket in all those other flash-forward scenes we’ve seen this season.
With Jamal’s real-life counterpart indicted on 16 felony counts by a Chicago grand jury last week and set to appear in court this Thursday,...
As a matter of fact, Wednesday will mark the first new episode of the hip-hop soap since well before Smollett — who plays the openly-gay Jamal Lyon — told Chicago cops he was assaulted on Jan. 29.
The last original “Empire” aired on Dec. 5, which ended with Jeff Kingsley (A.Z. Kelsey) telling Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Andre (Trai Byers), Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) and Jamal that he is Lucious’ (Terrence Howard) son and a flash-forward showing Andre flatlining in front of his parents, giving fans more fuel for their theories about who is in that casket in all those other flash-forward scenes we’ve seen this season.
With Jamal’s real-life counterpart indicted on 16 felony counts by a Chicago grand jury last week and set to appear in court this Thursday,...
- 3/13/2019
- by Tony Maglio and Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Jussie Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for making a false report by a Chicago grand jury Friday, according to NBC News.
The “Empire” star was originally charged with one felony count for filing a false police report by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office last month, in connection to the incident that he reported on Jan. 29 where he said he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs and referenced “Maga.”
A spokesperson for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately confirm reports of the grand jury’s 16-count indictment against Smollett when reached by TheWrap.
“This is not a newsflash. I expected it,” Mark Geragos, a member of Jussie Smollett’s defense team, told “Access” on Friday. “The way the process operates is they have to do a probable cause proceeding, so this is what’s called a probable cause proceeding.
The “Empire” star was originally charged with one felony count for filing a false police report by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office last month, in connection to the incident that he reported on Jan. 29 where he said he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs and referenced “Maga.”
A spokesperson for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately confirm reports of the grand jury’s 16-count indictment against Smollett when reached by TheWrap.
“This is not a newsflash. I expected it,” Mark Geragos, a member of Jussie Smollett’s defense team, told “Access” on Friday. “The way the process operates is they have to do a probable cause proceeding, so this is what’s called a probable cause proceeding.
- 3/8/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
After being removed from the final two episodes of “Empire’s” current season, Jussie Smollett’s character may be recast altogether. The news comes amid the deepening scandal surrounding the actor, who was arrested this week for filing a false report after claiming he was assaulted in a hate crime late last month. The news comes from TVLine, which further reports that “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels (on whom Smollett’s character of Jamal is loosely based) is “said to be a strong proponent of the recast option.”
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” said series executives Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement released after Smollett was arrested.
“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,...
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” said series executives Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement released after Smollett was arrested.
“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,...
- 2/24/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Jussie Smollett‘s potentially permanent Empire ouster may not mark the end of the road for his character, Jamal Lyon. TVLine has learned that among the options producers are considering is bringing in a new actor to take over the role in Season 6. Per an Empire insider, series co-creator Lee Daniels — who loosely based Jamal on himself — is said to be a strong proponent of the recast option.
An Empire rep declined to comment for this story. A spokesperson for Daniels, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment.
Daniels and his fellow Empire EPs — Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer,...
An Empire rep declined to comment for this story. A spokesperson for Daniels, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment.
Daniels and his fellow Empire EPs — Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer,...
- 2/22/2019
- TVLine.com
Geraldo Rivera laced into Jussie Smollett on Friday, calling the “Empire” star a “race traitor” after Chicago police accused him of staging his own hate crime because he was unhappy with his salary on the show.
“This fellow Smollett is a race traitor,” the Fox News correspondent said on “Fox & Friends” Friday. “He is a cynical, selfish, self-absorbed person who would do absolutely anything to get a buck. The Chicago Police superintendent was repelled by him.”
“How dare he use a noose, the most potent symbol of oppression in the Jim Crow post-Civil War, post-slavery era that exists in this country, lynching in a city that gave us Emmett Till, the teenager who was later lynched down south,” Rivera continued. “Come on. This Smollett deserves all the scorn, all of the ridicule, all of the contempt that people are expressing toward him now.”
“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade was in broad agreement.
“This fellow Smollett is a race traitor,” the Fox News correspondent said on “Fox & Friends” Friday. “He is a cynical, selfish, self-absorbed person who would do absolutely anything to get a buck. The Chicago Police superintendent was repelled by him.”
“How dare he use a noose, the most potent symbol of oppression in the Jim Crow post-Civil War, post-slavery era that exists in this country, lynching in a city that gave us Emmett Till, the teenager who was later lynched down south,” Rivera continued. “Come on. This Smollett deserves all the scorn, all of the ridicule, all of the contempt that people are expressing toward him now.”
“Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade was in broad agreement.
- 2/22/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
Update: Empire executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer are speaking out about Jussie Smollett, one day after the actor's arrest. "The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us," the statement from the executive producers, released Friday, reads. "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." The statement continues, "We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew...
- 2/22/2019
- E! Online
Jussie Smollett has been removed from the final two episodes of “Empire” Season 5, following his arrest on the charges of filing a false police report, the Fox hip-hop drama’s executive producers announced Friday.
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us,” read a statement from “Empire” co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, showrunner Brett Mahoney, and executive producers Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer.
“Jussie has been an important member of our ‘Empire’ family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” the statement continued. “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...
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us,” read a statement from “Empire” co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, showrunner Brett Mahoney, and executive producers Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer.
“Jussie has been an important member of our ‘Empire’ family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” the statement continued. “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...
- 2/22/2019
- by Jennifer Maas and Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
One day after Jussie Smollett was arrested on multiple felony charges over last month’s alleged racist and homophobic attack in Chicago, the producers of Empire have cut the actor from the rest of the show’s fifth season.
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us,” executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement this morning in reference to the supposed assault of January 29 and the subsequent legal fallout.
“Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” the producers added. “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...
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us,” executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement this morning in reference to the supposed assault of January 29 and the subsequent legal fallout.
“Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” the producers added. “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...
- 2/22/2019
- by Dominic Patten and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Empire is no longer standing by its man. The Fox drama has suspended Jussie Smollett in the wake of the actor’s arrest for allegedly staging last month’s hate-crime attack against himself. Smollett’s sorta-dismissal comes as the Fox drama was winding down production on Season 5; there’s no word how his character Jamal’s absence in this season’s final two episodes will be explained.
In a statement, Empire EPs Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer said, “The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us.
In a statement, Empire EPs Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer said, “The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us.
- 2/22/2019
- TVLine.com
Jussie Smollett has been removed from the final Season 5 episodes of the Fox series “Empire” in the wake of his arrest Thursday morning.
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” said series executives Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer. “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.”
Fox had previously issued multiple statements in support of Smollett,...
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” said series executives Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer. “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.”
Fox had previously issued multiple statements in support of Smollett,...
- 2/22/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
7:25 Am Pt-- Fox just announced it's scratching Smollett from the end of the current season. The statement says, "The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. 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.
- 2/22/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Jussie Smollett will not appear in the final two episodes of Empire's fifth season following his arrest, the show's executive producers said Friday.
"The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply," reads a statement from executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer. "While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as ...
"The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply," reads a statement from executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer. "While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as ...
- 2/22/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Breaking …Chicago police continue to seek another sit-down with Jussie Smollett in their evolving investigation into the alleged attack on the Empire actor last month and what part he may have played, but Fox is still standing by their man.
“Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set and as we have previously stated, he is not being written out of the show,” said 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment today, just one day past the three week anniversary of the allegedly racist and homophobic assault in the early hours of January 29
Yesterday, after Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case, the Osundairos and their lawyer Gloria Schmidt met again with police and other law enforcement officials. A scheduled grilling of the siblings in front of a Grand Jury was scrapped at the last minute after a call from Smollett’s lawyers.
“Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set and as we have previously stated, he is not being written out of the show,” said 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment today, just one day past the three week anniversary of the allegedly racist and homophobic assault in the early hours of January 29
Yesterday, after Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case, the Osundairos and their lawyer Gloria Schmidt met again with police and other law enforcement officials. A scheduled grilling of the siblings in front of a Grand Jury was scrapped at the last minute after a call from Smollett’s lawyers.
- 2/20/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Jussie Smollett’s role on the current fifth season of “Empire” has been cut down, a person with knowledge of the production tells TheWrap.
The reduced workload means Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on the Fox hip-hop soap, won’t have to be on set as much as new details in his reported Chicago assault continue to emerge. Scenes that Smollett had already shot will not be edited out of episodes that have wrapped production, however.
This latest development follows CNN’s report earlier this week that Chicago police now believe Smollett might have paid two brothers to stage an attack on him that he reported last month.
Also Read: Feds Are Investigating If Jussie Smollett Played Role in Sending Threatening Letter to Himself (Report)
According to TMZ, which first reported the news of changes to Jamal’s remaining arc this year, Smollett had nine scenes and a “big musical...
The reduced workload means Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on the Fox hip-hop soap, won’t have to be on set as much as new details in his reported Chicago assault continue to emerge. Scenes that Smollett had already shot will not be edited out of episodes that have wrapped production, however.
This latest development follows CNN’s report earlier this week that Chicago police now believe Smollett might have paid two brothers to stage an attack on him that he reported last month.
Also Read: Feds Are Investigating If Jussie Smollett Played Role in Sending Threatening Letter to Himself (Report)
According to TMZ, which first reported the news of changes to Jamal’s remaining arc this year, Smollett had nine scenes and a “big musical...
- 2/20/2019
- by Jennifer Maas and Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Chicago Police have cast aside a tip today that looked to directly connect Jussie Smollett to the former “persons of interest” in the January 29 alleged attack on him as the Empire actor is looking to add more muscle to his legal team.
A resident or someone visiting Smollett’s Chicago apartment told the cops that they saw the actor in the elevator with Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo late in the night of the assault. Now confirmed to have known Smollett socially as an Empire extra and a personal trainer, the brothers were picked up by the police on February 13 and questioned for 48 hours before being released without charges.
The incident was originally described as a racist and homophobic barrage that left the openly gay Smollett beaten, drenched in bleach and with a rope slung around his neck. Previously identified as the individuals in the photos of “persons of interest” in the Smollett case,...
A resident or someone visiting Smollett’s Chicago apartment told the cops that they saw the actor in the elevator with Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo late in the night of the assault. Now confirmed to have known Smollett socially as an Empire extra and a personal trainer, the brothers were picked up by the police on February 13 and questioned for 48 hours before being released without charges.
The incident was originally described as a racist and homophobic barrage that left the openly gay Smollett beaten, drenched in bleach and with a rope slung around his neck. Previously identified as the individuals in the photos of “persons of interest” in the Smollett case,...
- 2/19/2019
- by Dominic Patten and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Marvel fans were left crushed yesterday when Netflix announced it was cancelling The Punisher and Jessica Jones, meaning that all five Marvel TV series on the streaming service have now been given the chop. The only question that remains, is, will the House of Ideas revive the shows in different forms on other platforms?
Well, one star of The Punisher certainly seems to think there’s a good chance of that happening. Royce Johnson – who played Detective Brett Mahoney across Daredevil, Punisher and Jessica Jones – spoke to ComicBook.com and said that he chatted with the cast and crew of the show yesterday with the general feeling being that everyone would love to return “down the line.”
“Yeah, I’ve gotten..one call and two texts, saying, ‘It’s been a great journey.’ We had a nice phone call, a nice chat, saying, ‘Hopefully, we’ll meet again down the line.
Well, one star of The Punisher certainly seems to think there’s a good chance of that happening. Royce Johnson – who played Detective Brett Mahoney across Daredevil, Punisher and Jessica Jones – spoke to ComicBook.com and said that he chatted with the cast and crew of the show yesterday with the general feeling being that everyone would love to return “down the line.”
“Yeah, I’ve gotten..one call and two texts, saying, ‘It’s been a great journey.’ We had a nice phone call, a nice chat, saying, ‘Hopefully, we’ll meet again down the line.
- 2/19/2019
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.