Empire cast members send a letter calling for Jussie Smollett's return

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Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and other key cast members sent the letter dated April 19 to Fox and Disney executives. "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,” said the letter. “Throughout Empire’s five seasons working with Jussie and watching how he has conducted himself throughout this traumatic event, we have come to know not just the character Jussie portrays, but also truly come to know Jussie’s personal character,” the letter continues. “He is kind. He is compassionate. He is honest and above all he is filled with integrity. He is also innocent and no longer subject to legal uncertainty with the criminal charges against him having been dropped. We are confident in his lawyer’s assurance that the case was dismissed because it would not have prevailed.” The letter also got political: “It’s clearer every day that the extreme political climate in our country has only made our system of justice and the court of public opinion more unjust.” The letter is addressed to Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier, Disney TV Studios and ABC Entertainment chair Dana Walden, Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn, Empire co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong and several executive producers on the show.