There's currently no word on whether Smollett will return to the Fox drama if the show is renewed.
[This story contains spoilers for the April 24 episode of Empire, "Never Doubt I Love."]
However Jussie Smollett is written out of Empire's final episodes of the season, his last appearance on screen was an upbeat one. Season five isn't over, but the show's producers previously announced that the last two episodes, set to air May 1 and 8, would not include Smollett's character, Jamal Lyon.
The decision came after a whirlwind few weeks following Smollett's report in late January that he was attacked in Chicago by two men who called him homophobic and racial slurs, yelled pro-Trump remarks, punched him and wrapped a noose around his neck. Smollett was later arrested and indicted on 16 felony counts for allegedly staging the attack and providing false information to Chicago police; all charges against him have since been dropped.