Jussie Smollett’s screen time slashed following claims he staged assault

Jussie’s case is heading to a Grand Jury as there are reports that he planned with two brothers to attack him then filed a false police report.

In the wake of the scandal, Jussie’s role in Empire is being slashed, according to TMZ. He was supposed to have nine scenes and a big musical number in the second to the last episode currently being shot, but five of his scenes have been cut, and his musical number has been removed.

In the remaining four scenes, Jussie is no longer the focus. The scene features an ensemble, meaning he’s flanked by a number of cast members.

With his roles reduced, Jussie will be spending less time on set and he won’t be rehearsing with the crew, TMZ reports, quoting production sources.

Smollett had filed a police report only a few weeks ago alleging that he was beaten, an unknown substance poured on him and racist and homophobic slurs yelled at him. Police began an investigation into the case after which multiple sources alleged that the actor may have staged his own attack. The case is set to face a Grand Jury soon.