*”Empire” actors just found out they need to start submitting resumes and getting auditions lined up ‘case after the upcoming 6th season, it’s a wrap.

Wayminute! That means Jussie Smollett won’t be the only actor from the Fox show who’ll be out a j-o-b. That’s true and it’s a whole ‘nother story.

We got the bad – although not completely unexpected – news from FOX as they announced early Monday morning in its Upfront conference call that “Empire” was being given the axe after season 6 … which will air next year. And there’s this: according  Charlie Collier, head of FOX Entertainment, they’re planning on the final season going out in style; the network envisions a “large TV event” in an attempt to go out with “guns blazing,” reports TMZ.

By the way, if you’re wondering if Jussie Smollett will be seen anytime in that 6th season, Collier didn’t deviate from FOX’s position from earier when it announced a 6th season for the show … saying there’s an option to have Jussie return to the series, but there’s no plans for it as of now.

So as of NOW, Smolett is still getting paid, but he may or may not appear  in the show on season 6. You have to keep in mind that the actor still has issues with the City of Chicago. Or is it the other way around. Either way, he’s being sued by the city for staging the “attack” and costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars in resources.

It sounds as if  FOX waiting to see which way the wind blows down the road before committing to having Smollett back for last go ’round.