image via Empire Instagram

Just days after it was announced that FOX had cancelled the Lee Daniels series ‘Star‘ after only three seasons, now ‘Empire‘ will come to a close after it’s upcoming sixth season according to FOX.

Just two weeks after the Charlie Collier-run Fox Entertainment renewed Lee Daniels and Danny Strong’s hip hop drama for a sixth season and showed controversy ladened Jussie Smollett towards the exit door, it was announced today on Fox’s Upfront call that the self described “groundbreaking cultural phenomenon” of Empire will be canceled once Season 6 s done.
Questioned about the possibility that the legally challenged Smollett could return for the final season, Collier dodged and replied with language reminiscent of last month’s press release. “There’s an option to have Jussie in the series but we have no plans for that,” he said, noting that the writers’ room for Season 6 hasn’t even been opened yet.

“We are turning the final season into a large TV event, we are trying to go out guns a blazing,” Collier proclaimed on the call of Empire‘s 20-episode last round “You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve,” the CEO added.

While sad to hear, we’re not surprised and almost expected this announcement. The series, although one of the biggest ratings winners for TV and the network, has seen a dip in ratings following the Jussie Smollett legal aftermath.

Overall, six seasons is a respectable number and end; and we’re here for it.