Taraji P. Henson: "I feel incomplete" with Empire's abrupt series finale

Entertainment Weekly

"It’s pretty sad," Henson tells EW of the abrupt series finale after six seasons. "Because we’ve developed such an amazing family over the years, and it’s just sad that we didn’t get to say goodbye the proper way. We didn’t get to throw our wrap party, the things that you do when you come to the end of a successful series like this one. I got everyone lovely letterman sweaters for our senior year/graduation, and I wasn’t there to give them out with a hug — and that hurts." Henson says she doesn't even know how Empire is supposed to end. "I have no idea," she says. "I will find out with the audience. I’m excited, because it’s the first time in my Empire career where I don’t know what’s happening." Henson tells showrunner Brett Mahoney that she's pushing for a proper farewell. "Just know that Cookie is pushing!" she says. "These posts and DMs that I’m getting, they are heart-wrenching. As an artist, to not be able to finish something that you started, that hurts me. I feel incomplete. I don’t ever start something and don’t complete it. And so, for me, it’s deep; I have to finish, or this will haunt me for the rest of my life and career. As it would the audience. And I don’t think we should deprive such a loyal fan base of that ending. They deserve to be in their feelings. They deserve more than this abrupt ending. And I get it, where we are right now, we have to be responsible. But I think when the dust settles, at the end of the day, the audience deserves it. Because they pay my bills! (both laugh)" ALSO: Empire stayed true to its soapy heart with its abrupt finale.