Cast Members Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Directors Lee Daniels And Danny Strong From The Television Series 'Empire'
(L-R) Cast members Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smolett, Trai Byers, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, directors Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, producers Ilene Chaiken and Francie Calfo from the television series "Empire" take part in Fox Broadcasting Company's part of the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter 2015 presentations in Pasadena, California, January 17, 2015. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

Created by Danny Strong and Lee Daniels, Fox’s “Empire” has crushed ratings record and topped “Big Bang Theory” as TV’s top rated show. Now gearing up for the second season, “Empire” star Malik Yoba talked about Vernon’s death on the show’s epic finale and his plans after wrapping up his TV series.

Yoba’s character Vernon was killed during the show’s two-hour finale by none other than the pregnant Rhonda Lyon (Kaitlin Doubleday), Andre’s (Trai Byers) wife. The actor revealed on his recent interview how he was informed by Daniels that Vernon is going to meet his tragic end in the last episode of the show.

“I was informed that 'a main character should die a shocking death' at the end of the first season while I was in Ferguson putting together the screening,” Yoba told Jet Magazine. “I think that because I have 20-plus years in this business, I’ve been in roles that people really enjoy and I think there’s a desire to see more from the character but they didn’t get it. So everyone is left scratching their heads, saying, ‘well, why would they do that?’”

But Yoba hinted that it’s not the end for him in “Empire” as he is hoping to get involved as a flashback or sit in the director’s chair. He revealed that he had conversations with the show’s producers, “before, during and after shooting” his character’s last episode, about his return to the small screen.

The 47-year-old star is the first series regular who got the first call that he is exiting the show. Shock by the news as he was raising money for Saving Our Sons by promoting a special screening of “Empire” episode 2 when he got the call about his character’s demise.

When asked about Yoba’s departure on the show and the rumours that Malik wasn’t happy about being killed, series creator Danny Strong told Eurweb that the actor was not fired from the show and his death is story related. He said that Malik is a terrific actor and was thrilled that he shared his talents on the show.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may e-mail the writer at rornos.IBTimes@gmail.com

RELATED STORIES