Jussie Smollett: Empire scores lowest ratings in series' history in wake of 'hoax attack'

Smollett has pleaded not guilty after being accused of staging his own attack

Empire has experienced its lowest ratings in the show's history, in the wake of the Jussie Smollett controversy.

The TV show, which airs on Fox and is currently in its fifth season, attracted just less than four million viewers on 20 March, according to Variety, amounting to a 1.1 rating among people aged 18 to 49 years old.

This is under Empire's previous low of 4.2m viewers and a 1.2 rating, which occurred on Halloween 2018.

The show also struggled last week, recording 4.4m viewers – which is still 10% higher than the latest viewership numbers.

It was reported in February that Smollett would be removed from the remaining season five episodes in the wake of his arrest.

The actor pleaded not guilty earlier this month to charges accusing him of lying to the police when he told them he had been the victim of a racist, homophobic attack on a Chicago street.

Smollett, who is facing 16 counts of disorderly conduct, has maintained his innocence.

Empire co-creator Lee Daniels said in an Instagram video earlier this week that he and his team have experienced "pain and anger and sadness and frustration" over the past few weeks.

He did not mention Smollett by name but clearly appeared to be referring to the court case when he added: "Because it happened… everything has happened, which you are seeing tonight, happened prior to the incident.

"And this was not what the show as made for. The show was made to bring America together... to talk about the atrocities that are happening right now in the streets.”