Chicago '- The producers of the TV show Empire say Jussie Smollett's character will be removed from the final two episodes of this season.
The announcement Friday comes after Jussie was charged with felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Police say he faked a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career.
The charge could bring up to three years in prison and force the actor to pay for the cost of the investigation into his report of a 29 January beating.
READ MORE HERE: Police: Jussie Smollett staged attack to 'promote his career'
Empire Executive Producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer released a statement saying Smollett's character, Jamal, was being removed from the final two episodes of the season "to avoid further disruption on set."
Empire is filmed in Chicago.