"Empire" showrunner Brett Mahoney said the sixth season of the hit show will be a "reset".
Last week, the critically-acclaimed musical drama was renewed for another installment but embattled actor Jussie Smollett is less likely to return.
Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon in the Fox show, was written out of the last two episodes of season five after he was accused by Chicago Police of orchestrating a staged assault against himself earlier this year.
The 36-year-old was initially charged with 16 felony counts related to filing a false police report. The charges were later dropped, though the city of Chicago is seeking reimbursement from the actor to cover over USD 130,000 in investigatory fees, which he has refused to cover.
Mahoney said he and the team of writers are yet to decide the course of sixth season post Smollett's exit.
"I haven't convened with the writers yet - we haven't started breaking what season six will be - but it will require an adjustment in terms of him not being ...