March 04--"Empire," Fox's drama about a hip-hop mogul and his family, has wrapped up filming its second season in Chicago, star Jussie Smollett posted Thursday on Instagram.
"It's a season wrap! Yes," Smollett says in a video that shows the cast and crew celebrating. Filming for Season 2 began in June 2015, according to the Chicago Film Office.
Smollett, who plays singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon, said the cast will be back in Chicago in June to begin filming the third season. The series was renewed for a third season in January.
Also Thursday, "Empire" star Trai Byers denied a media report that he wants to quit the show.
"How could I think of demanding something larger than Andre, where I get to express a man with bipolar disorder, who is on a spiritual journey to find his identity?," Byers posted on Instagram about his character Andre Lyon. "I'm so proud, so happy, and so lucky to be a part of this cast. This show has started my career. See you in Season 3!"
Byers, 32, is engaged to Chicago actress Grace Gealey, who also stars on the show.
The second half of the second season of "Empire," which is set in New York, is slated to premiere March 30.
