Some Empire cast members have been reported to be demanding the removal of American actor, Jussie Smollett, from the show, TMZ reports.
Since the actor was charged with filing a false police report about an alleged hate attack, several members of the Empire cast have demanded his removal or resignation, saying that his continued presence would damage the show’s image.
TMZ reports that there are still some cast and crew members who still believe Jussie’s innocence.
Arguments have occurred on set as to how best to manage the crisis.
The 36-year-old actor is said to have changed his mobile number to avoid calls from cast members who are still embarrassed by the actor’s alleged staged attack.
Smollett turned himself in to the Chicago police on Thursday. He faces felony charges for disorderly conduct and filing a false police report.
If found guilty, he faces up to three years in prison and may also be forced to reimburse police for the cost of their three week-long investigation.
The Empire star had said he was subjected to a homophobic and racist physical attack by two men in January.
Police suspect he paid two Nigerian brothers to stage the attack. The brothers – Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo – are both co-operating with the investigation, US media report.
Suspicion over the actor’s claim started to grow after police said they could not find any video footage of the alleged incident from surveillance cameras. There were also no witnesses.
But investigators managed to track two men who appeared on video footage near where the actor said he had been attacked.
