Terrence Howard's real life drama may have cost him a few scenes in the upcoming second season of the smash hit series "Empire."

According to the New York Post, Howard's role for the new season "will be scaled back" based on all his recent divorce drama and a litany of past domestic abuse allegations previously filed against him being dredged up again in recent weeks.

In the Lee Daniels co-directed music drama, the "Hustle and Flow" star and Oscar nominated actor plays Lucious Lyon, the ruthless founder and CEO of Empire Entertainment. At the end of the show's record-setting first season, Lucious was arrested for murder, but a source now claims as much as it was a storyline it was also a calculated move to keep Howard more under wraps.

"What they are doing is twofold," the source added. "They have him locked up so you won't be seeing him in as many scenes. But they are bringing in so many, and I mean so many, guest stars and cameos that the average viewer won't realize it because there is so much going on."

Among those confirmed to make guest appearances during the second season are Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Ludacris and Marisa Tomei.

In addition, Howard's co-star, Taraji P. Henson, is expected to assume an even greater role next season as Cookie Lyon.

"She's going to start dropping off from the flashback scenes and then they're going to have her guns blazing," the source added.

As for Howard and all his off screen drama, a judge recently ruled in his favor in his attempt to have his divorce settlement with second wife Michelle Ghent overturned. During the proceedings, however, Howard's past domestic abuse transgressions involving first wife Lori McCommas and ex-girlfriend May Seng Yang were all visited anew.