Will Jussie Smollett Return To Empire? Taraji P. Henson Answers

The biggest cliffhanger Empire fans want answered is whether or not Jussie Smollett will return for season six later this year as Jamal Lyon, in light of the headlines the actor made this year related to an incident in which he says he was attacked.

Smollett first reported that he’d been attacked in Chicago after midnight by two men. Later, the actor was charged with making a false report, accused of making the whole thing up. The next twist came when all charges against Smollett were dropped!

It’s begged the question: will the actor return to the Fox drama next season as Jamal. Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie Lyon and Smollett’s TV mom, says yes, he will. She was being interviewed on The View and host Joy Behar asked her if Jussie was coming back.

“Yes!” Henson enthused. “I haven’t heard anything else. I haven’t heard anything.” Hmm. This ‘yes’ appears to be more of an ‘as far as I know,’ which could ultimately mean “yes,” “maybe,” or even “no.” Stay tuned to see if Smollett does indeed return for next season of Empire! Check out Henson’s full interview on The View below.

Empire airs Wednesdays on Fox at 9 p.m.