Jussie Smollett's Character Will Be Removed From 'Empire' Episodes

Published: 2/22/2019, 12:00:29 PM EST

Jussie Smollett's Character Will Be Removed From 'Empire' Episodes — Jussie Smollett (second from left) appears in an episode of "Empire" with (from left to right) Bryshere Gray, Taraji Henson, and Terrence Howard. (Chuck Hodes/FOX via AP)

Jussie Smollett's character will be removed from multiple episodes of "Empire," executive producers said on Feb. 22.

Twentieth Century Fox Television said in a new statement.

Smollett plays the character of Jamal Lyons on the show.

"The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply. While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out," Lee Daniels and six other executive producers said in a joint statement released by Twentieth Century Fox Television.

"We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season."

Twentieth Century Fox said in a previous statement after Smollett was arrested and charged with filing a false police report on Feb. 21, that executives were "evaluating the situation and considering our options."

“We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options,” the company added.

Smollett was released on bond later on Thursday and was slated to appear in court on March 14 to enter a plea.

The 36-year-old actor initially claimed that two white men on Jan. 29 assaulted him in downtown Chicago in freezing temperatures, shouting slurs in addition to the “MAGA” line, in an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again slogan.”

But in mid-February, Chicago police arrested two Nigerian-American brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo, on suspicion of attacking Smollett. After nearly two days, the brothers revealed to police that Smollett orchestrated the attack and paid them $3,500 for their role in it.

Abel Osundairo, left, and his brother Ola Osundairo, in a file photo. The Nigerian brothers were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett but were released after reportedly telling detectives Smollett paid them to stage the attack. (Team Abel/Instagram) — Abel Osundairo, left, and his brother Ola Osundairo, in a file photo. The Nigerian brothers were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett but were released after reportedly telling detectives Smollett paid them to stage the attack. Team Abel/Instagram

Prosecutors said that Smollett gave the brothers specific instructions, including having one of them shout "This is MAGA country," while carrying out the hoax.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told reporters that Smollett's motivation was frustration with his pay.

“This stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary,” he said. "Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career."

Smollett has not spoken publicly or to detectives since the brothers were interviewed by the police but has maintained his innocence through his legal team.

"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail following his release in Chicago, on Feb. 21, 2019. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AP Photo) — "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail following his release in Chicago, on Feb. 21, 2019. Kamil Krzaczynski/AP Photo

The actor reportedly returned to the set of "Empire" after being released on bond and told cast members he was innocent.

“I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this,” Smollett said.

Salary information for the actor wasn't publicly available but a source told reporter Yashar Ali that he was being paid $65,000 per episode, with 18 episodes per season.

If true, he would be earning $1.17 million per season.

Variety reported in 2016 that Smollett was making $20,000 per episode, along with other actors and actresses playing the Lyon children on the show, meaning his salary tripled in just three years.

The dissatisfaction may have stemmed from costars Taraji Henson and Terrence Howard making more. According to Variety, they each made $175,000 per episode in 2016.

While police believe Smollett was upset about his pay, two sources told the Vulture blog that neither the actor nor his representatives at United Talent Agency asked about a pay raise in the months leading up to the allegedly staged attack. The sources said that Smollett's salary before the attack was actually around $125,000 per episode, though other sources said it was closer to $100,000 per episode.