'Empire' Stars Still Want Jussie Smollett to Return Despite Fox's Decision

The cast of "Empire" wants Jussie Smollett to return for the drama's sixth season despite Fox executives' decision to cut the actor following the actor's real-life legal troubles, TMZ reports.

Sources told the website that cast members, including Taraji P. Hensen and Terrence Howard, began working to get Smollett to return to "Empire" by reaching out to producers soon after Fox's announcement. TMZ reports that the cast feels that the actor's character, who is openly gay just like Smollett, was important to the show and don't feel like his return will negatively impact ratings.

One of the last episodes of "Empire" Season 5 featured Smollett's Jamal getting married in what was the first gay, black wedding on primetime TV. TMZ spoke with Smollett before the episode aired and he said he felt "pride" about the moment.

Before Fox's announcement, the "Empire" cast wrote an open letter urging execs to have Smollett return for Season 6.

"Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett and ask that our co-star, brother and friend be brought back for our sixth season of 'Empire,'" the letter said in part.

Currently, he's embroiled in a civil lawsuit with the city of Chicago, which speed him for the cost of investigating his alleged hate crime.