'Empire's Final Season Is Set To End Early Due To Crisis

Empire is coming to an end sooner than expected.

The sixth and final season of the hit Fox series will end sooner than originally planned due to the ongoing world health crisis.

Fox announced late Tuesday night (March 31) in an on-air promo that the show’s 20-episode sixth and final season will now conclude on April 21, with Episode 18 now serving as the show’s series finale, according to Deadline.

“Get ready for the shocking final three episodes of Empire,” a voice-over declared over a promo for next week’s “We Got Us,” the 16th episode of the current sixth season, starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.

The last completed episode before the production shutdown, Episode 18, which is scheduled to air on April 21, is now set to be the premature end of Empire. “To help create a more seamless overall ending, we hear this newly minted finale will likely feature footage from Episode 19, which was halfway through filming when the health crisis paused all Hollywood production.”