No decision has been made about the arrested actor

Source: http://www.crazydaysandnights.net

The trades are saying one thing, but no decision has been made about the arrested actor or the network show where he stars and probably won’t be made until May.

Jussie Smollett

FOX – Empire

Jussie Smollett case clouds ‘Empire’ future

(CNN)The legal cloud of Jussie Smollett’s indictment hangs over “Empire” as the series returns with new episodes Wednesday, raising questions as to whether that uncertainty and off-screen drama will derail the Fox primetime soap — or perversely, temporarily spur interest in it.

The show launches the second half of its 18-episode season the same week that Smollett, who plays the character of Jamal, appeared in court, having been indicted on 16 felony counts for allegedly staging an attack on himself and subsequently providing false information to the police.

Smollett has denied the charges. On Tuesday, he attended a hearing regarding whether to allow cameras in the courtroom.

The network has already announced that the actor will be left out of the last two episodes to “avoid further disruption on set,” although it’s unclear how his absence will be explained. That means the seventh hour in this latest run could wind up being his character’s last on the series. The program has yet to be renewed for next season, a decision Fox won’t have to officially make until May.

The producers initially expressed support for Smollett. After he was charged, they called the allegations “disturbing,” saying in a statement that Smollett is “an important member of our ‘Empire’ family,” adding that “we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out.” – Source