By 2019, Empire was not actively producing or airing new episodes, and the series had not been officially canceled yet. After Season 5 concluded in May 2019, production stalled due to real-world legal issues involving lead actor Jussie Smollett and ongoing contract disputes. No Season 6 air date had been set, and the show remained in limbo through much of the year. In the following months, cast and creator conflicts further delayed any path to renewal, leaving the premiere window for a potential Season 6 unresolved as of late 2019.
Empire Season 5 Finale and Immediate Aftermath
Season 5 of Empire aired its finale on May 15, 2019, wrapping a narrative arc that had driven the series since 2015. In the finale, Lucious Lyon faced prison, while storylines involving his children and company ownership reached temporary conclusions. Industry trade reports at the time noted that the show had been popular but costly to produce, and renewal decisions were typically tied to both ratings and behind-the-scenes negotiations. Viewers tuning out after the finale saw no official renewal announcement for Season 6, only cautious studio comments that future plans depended on ongoing discussions.
2019 Production Hiatus and Uncertainty
Between mid-2019 and early 2020, Empire entered an extended production hiatus, with cast and crew without active production schedules. This period coincided with publicized legal charges against Jussie Smollett in early 2019, which complicated filming logistics and insurance for the series. Trade outlets in 2019 reported that studio and distributor disagreements, combined with talent contract talks, prevented a definitive Season 6 order. As a result, the show remained in a holding pattern, with no new episode orders, scripts in active development, or confirmed premiere timelines.
The Jussie Smollett Impact and Legal Troubles
The criminal case involving Jussie Smollett became a central factor in the show's stalled progress during 2019. Charges and subsequent trial dates disrupted production continuity, and ancillary negotiations over cast salaries and showrunner terms slowed progress on Season 6. Although the legal proceedings did not directly confirm a cancellation, they created significant delays and uncertainty for renewal planners. By the end of 2019, there was still no definitive timeline for when, or if, the series would return to production.
Cast and Creator Contract Disputes
Behind the scenes, public reports indicated tensions among key cast members and producers over compensation and creative direction. These disputes, amplified by the high costs of the show and fluctuating advertising revenue, contributed to prolonged negotiations. Industry analysts in 2019 suggested that the combination of legal risk and financial disagreements made a swift Season 6 unlikely, and any planned production start remained tentative through the year.
Fan Expectations and Industry Coverage
Throughout 2019, fan forums and entertainment news outlets repeatedly asked when the show would return, if at all. Ratings for Season 5 had remained relatively strong compared to scripted broadcast competition, which typically supports renewal, but production obstacles overrode those signals. Industry newsletters and updates highlighted that a Season 6 decision would depend on resolving both legal and contractual hurdles before any meaningful pre-production could begin.
Timeline of Key 2019 Events for Empire
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2019 | Season 5 finale airs | Concludes major story beats and sets up unresolved character arcs |
| June–December 2019 | Production hiatus continues with no official renewal | Indicates stalled development and lack of a confirmed Season 6 order |
| Early 2019–Late 2019 | Jussie Smollett legal proceedings | Creates production delays and complicates insurance and scheduling |
| Throughout 2019 | Cast and contract negotiations | Financial and creative disagreements slow or prevent moving forward |
What the 2019 Status Meant for the Show's Future
At the close of 2019, Empire remained in limbo, with Season 6 neither officially ordered nor definitively canceled. The combination of legal, financial, and scheduling factors led networks and producers to delay decisions, leaving fans without a clear premiere window. This status reflected the broader challenges that high-profile scripted shows can face when legal incidents and complex talent agreements intersect with traditional renewal cycles. Any eventual return would depend on first resolving these underlying issues.