‘Empire’s’ Jussie Smollett: Jamal Is ‘Coming Into His Own’

Jamal Lyon made a big decision on last week’s “Empire.” He’s going after the company.

“And, he’s gonna take it,” Jussie Smollett laughed, quoting his character as he chatted with Access Hollywood at Entertainment Weekly’s pre-SAG Awards party last Saturday night at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.

“I love where the character is going,” Jussie, who plays Jamal, continued. “I love that he’s showing that he’s strong and he’s standing up to Lucious. He’s got a serious backbone and yeah, he’s coming into his own. I love it.”

While Jamal is now in the running to rule Empire Records, he’ll be doing it from the ground up, after vacating (with his boyfriend Michael) the fancy apartment his father’s money was paying for, following another argument with his homophobic dad.

“You’re just going to see the journey of what’s gonna unfold of the beautiful, incredible music that he’s going to create based on what he’s going through,” Jussie previewed about what’s next for his character in the Fox series. “He’s going to end up in an apartment that he’s not necessarily used to with his lifestyle, but you know what? He’s kind of going through what Lucious fought for to get to where he is. [Jamal’s] gonna fight for it in his own way.”

PHOTOS: ‘Empire’: Portraits Of The Cast

‘Empire’: Portraits Of The Cast

View Gallery

While Wednesday night ushers in the fourth episode of “Empire” on Fox, the stars of the series are currently filming the season finale, which is being directed by Debbie Allen.

Jussie said more surprise guests are on the way when the season finale rolls around.

“We have some incredible guest stars,” Jussie told Access.

“One of them is one of the biggest, legendary icons of all time,” he said. “Yeah, it’s gonna be incredible.”

“Empire” airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

— by Jolie Lash