Lee Daniels emotional after COVID-19 halts production on ‘Empire’ finale

Shares with his fans that his cast was exceptional and that 'Tuesdays will never be the same'

Lee Daniels confirms his hit series Empire comes to an early end due to the coronavirus pandemic. Empire currently in its sixth season was due to end however the last episode is not the finale creators planned.

DeMicia Inman

Apr 17, 2020

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Lee Daniels confirms his hit series Empire will come to an early end due to the coronavirus pandemic. Empire currently in its sixth season will air the last episode, not as the creators planned, on April 21, 2020.

Social distancing guidelines have forced filming and production to stop earlier than expected, unfortunately cutting Empire’s ambitions of giving the primetime drama a proper ending. Starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard, the scripted series chronicled the Lyon family’s dynasty, earning the cast and production team multiple award wins and nominations.

According to Deadline, the final season of Empire was slated for a full 20 episodes, however now the 18th episode is the foreseeable end. Although the pandemic has forced the producers to shift, they are hopeful that one day, the proper ending will be filmed and aired for Empire fans. Both executive producers Daniels and Danny Strong shared their own statements on the abrupt end.

Empire

“I’m heartbroken we aren’t getting to shoot the finale we wanted — at least not yet,” says Daniels.

“The episode airing on April 21 was never meant to be the series finale, but due to current events it will likely be the last one our fans will see for a while,” says Strong in an official statement provided to Deadline.

Although the series is ending early, the current season was meant to be the final. The finale show’s creator had hoped to bring to life had already been changed after Jussie Smollet’s character was written out, following a real-life controversy where the actor reportedly lied about an alleged hate crime.

He took to Twitter to express how he believes that Tuesdays won’t ever be the same.

Beyond proud of the work we’ve done with @empirefox. Blessed to have worked with a wonderful cast & crew since 2015. A life-changing – not just for us, but fans, too! Tuesdays will never be the same. Be sure to tune in for the final episodes #LeeDanielsEnt #blackexcellence pic.twitter.com/fyTwOA1yDt

— Lee Daniels Entertainment (@leedanielsent) March 28, 2020

For fans who have been watching since the beginning, they understand because since it switched days, Wednesdays are not the same.

Daniels full statement provided to Deadline reads as follows:

“The success of Empire and bringing the Lyon family to broadcast television will always be one of the proudest achievements of my career. This show is the definition of breaking barriers. Thank you to our incredible cast, especially Terrence and Taraji, along with our amazing writers and tireless crew, for all of their hard work and bringing this story to life. I think there’s more to do with these characters, and I’m heartbroken we aren’t getting to shoot the finale we wanted—at least not yet. But you know what they say in television? Stay tuned! To the Empire!