The cast of Empire have penned an open letter asking for Jussie Smollett to return to his role in the drama series.
In a letter to Fox Entertainment, stars including Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard say they trust charges against Smollett were dropped because allegations that he staged a hate attack against himself for personal gain couldn’t be proven.
"He is innocent and no longer subject to legal uncertainty with the criminal charges against him having been dropped," reads the April 19 letter, obtained by Deadline on Wednesday.
"We are confident in his lawyer’s assurance that the case was dismissed because it would not have prevailed."
"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," they continue.
They say that while working with Smollett on five seasons of the show they have come to "truly know Jussie’s personal character."
"He is kind. He is compassionate. He is honest and above all he is filled with integrity," the letter says.
In February it was announced that Smollett would not appear in the final two episodes of Empire following his arrest for allegedly filing a false police report.
For more television news, click here
