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Jussie Smollett won't appear on 'Empire' for remainder of season

Posted at 10:41 AM, Feb 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-22 10:44:55-05

Actor Jussie Smollett won't appear on the final two episodes of the current season of Empire, the producers of the show told the Associated Press on Friday.

Smollett was arrested Thursday on charges that he filed a false police report when he claimed he was assaulted by two men wearing red hats and yelling "Trump country." Chicago police claim Smollett hired his actors and also forged a piece of hate mail.

Producers for the Fox show said Smollett wouldn't be on the final episodes of Empire “to avoid further disruption on set.”