The critically acclaimed drama series "Nashville" returns for a third season. In the season two finale, Rayna was left at a crossroads with marriage proposals from both Luke, her superstar boyfriend, and Deacon, her first love and the father of her oldest child. Whom will she choose? And how will she navigate the turbulent road helming her own label, Highway 65? Juliette had lost the security of her newfound love with rising artist Avery, which foundered when she cheated on him with Jeff Fordham, the record label executive who has made no secret of his contempt for her. This season she will not only grapple with that heartbreak, but also with a pregnancy.
Will's sham of a marriage is cracking under the weight of his admission to his wife Layla that he's gay, and to the cameras of the reality show shadowing their every move. Will his burgeoning career be his salvation or an albatross? Scarlett, Gunnar and Avery continue to struggle to find their muses and voices within in the music industry, and the dynamics of their careers, friendships and search for love seems to shift continually.
Rayna's daughters, Daphne and Maddie, cope with their mother's engagement as well as her ever-increasing fame, while her ex-husband, Teddy, forms a shaky new alliance with Rayna's nemesis, Jeff Fordham.
"Music City" can mean so many things to different people. In Nashville, musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm driven by their own ambitions. Some are fueled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and doing everything in their power to stay on top.
"Nashville" stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon, Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad and Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad.
Dee Johnson ("Boss," "The Good Wife"), "The War Room," "A Perfect Candidate"), Callie Khouri ("Thelma & Louise") and Steve Buchanan are executive producers of "Nashville." The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment.
DEACON OR LUKE? WHOM WILL RAYNA CHOOSE? FIND OUT ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF “NASHVILLE,” SEPTEMBER 24 ON ABC
In a First, Cast Members Charles Esten and Chris Carmack and Superstar Duo Florida Georgia Line
Will Perform Live on “Nashville” for East Coast and West Coast Airings
“That’s Me Without You” – In the uniquely structured season premiere, a torn Rayna must choose not just between two men, but two directions that her life could take. Juliette, struggling to repair her relationship with Avery, auditions for the leading role of a film biopic. Meanwhile, Scarlett, determined to start fresh, embarks on a road trip home and bonds with an unexpected stowaway, and Will and Layla manage the fallout from his on-camera confession.
The third-season premiere of “Nashville” will be highlighted by three live performances within the episode—each performed twice—once for east coast and once for west coast. Real-life superstar duo Florida Georgia Line will perform one of their songs, Chris Carmack (Will Lexington) will sing “If It’s Love,” written by the Striking Matches, and Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne) will sing a song he co-wrote with Deanna Carter, “I Know How to Love You Now,” on the Season Premiere of “Nashville,” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Fans can obtain a free download of the live songs performed that night by Chris Carmack and Charles Esten through www.abc.com/musiclounge between EST and PST airing for a 24 hour period. After that window, the songs will be available for purchase through ITunes.
“Nashville” stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad.
Guest starring are Chaley Rose as Zoey, Aubrey Peeples as Layla and Ed Amatrudo as Glenn Goodman. SPOILERTV
RAYNA AMPS UP PROMOTION ON HER ALBUM WHILE JULIETTE FACES A
PERSONAL CROSSROAD, ON “NASHVILLE” ON ABC
Laura Benanti to Begin Recurring Role, Country Music Superstar Luke Bryan and
“Good Morning America” News Anchor Amy Robach to Guest Star as Themselves
“How Far Down Can I Go” – After Will’s debut album bumps Rayna’s to second place, she’s more determined than ever to make Highway 65 and her record a hit. In turn, she decides to pursue some new and unexpected opportunities for publicity, including a visit to “Good Morning America” where her friend Luke Bryan surprises her on stage. Layla becomes especially disgruntled about her fleeting career and pressures her husband Will, Edgehill Records’ new #1 artist, to help her rebuild it. Meanwhile, Juliette deals with some life-changing news and prepares for a big audition, where she runs into some familiar competition. Then later, Maddie continues to act out while Deacon deals with the brunt of her adolescence, and Zoey becomes paranoid about Gunnar’s past with Scarlett. Her suspicions are only heightened when she finds them collaborating again on a new song, on “Nashville,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Nashville” stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad.
Guest starring are Judith Hoag as Tandy Hampton, Chaley Rose as Zoey Dalton, Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant, David Alford as Bucky Dawes, Kourtney Hansen as Emily, Laura Benanti as Sadie Stone, Amy Robach as herself and Luke Bryan as himself.
“How Far Down Can I Go” was written by Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin and directed by Mario Van Peebles.
RAYNA SETS THE WEDDING DATE AND JULIETTE GRAPPLES WITH HER SECRET
WHILE AUDITIONING FOR A BIOPIC, ON “NASHVILLE”
Derek Hough (ABC's “Dancing with the Stars”), Alexa PenaVega and Brette Taylor
Begin Arcs in Recurring Roles
“I Can't Get Over You To Save My Life” – Rayna sets a wedding date which reverberates through the lives of those she loves. Juliette struggles to manage her secret which could prevent her from getting a career-defining movie role, and she meets the leading man who would play her love interest if she got the part. Luke’s new back-up singer, Pam, makes her presence known, Gunnar gets a visit from his first love, Kiley (Alexa PenaVega), and Layla decides to wield her power over Will, on “Nashville,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Nashville” stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad.
Guest starring are Ed Amatrudo as Glenn Goodman, Chaley Rose as Zoey Dalton, Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant, David Alford as Bucky Dawes, Kourtney Hansen as Emily, Laura Benanti as Sadie Stone, Brette Taylor as Pam York and Alexa PenaVega as Kiley York.
“I Can't Get Over You to Save My Life” was written by David Gould and directed by Stephen Cragg.
Question: Any word on whether there’ll be more fallout from Juliette and Jeff’s hook-up on Nashville? Please tell me it won’t break up her and Avery! — Nat
Ausiello: Downside: I’m told Juliette will find herself with child (mirroring Hayden Panettiere’s still-unconfirmed real-life pregnancy) when Season 3 picks up, but by whom? You’ll recall, she knocked cowboy boots with both Jeff and Avery near the end of the season. Upside: Both Ms. Barnes and her producer boyfriend will have plenty of songwriting fodder for months to come. Plus, Juliette changing diapers? You know I wanna see that.
- Juliette has her first ultrasound and is shocked when she finds out who the father could be.
- Deacon and Luke argue over Deacon's relationship with Maddie.
- The newest waitress at the bluebird takes an interest in Avery.
- Avery makes a bold move in an effort to move on from Juliette. SPOILERTV.COM
What's Next: Regardless of Rayna's decision, apparently Luke isn't going anywhere. Will Chase and Oliver Hudson have both been upped to series regulars. With Hayden Panettiere expecting her first child, executive producer Dee Johnson tells TVGuide.com that the show will feature a Juliette story line around "the idea of pregnancy." Plus: There's that awkward paternity question hanging over her head. And don't count out Avery and Juliette (Javery?) just yet. "I think that Avery is probably the only person that Juliette has actually ever been in love with," Johnson says. "That's a hard thing to shake." In addition, Laura Benanti joins the cast as a country singer who becomes a friend of Rayna's. "She is somewhere in between a newbie like Scarlett and a reigning queen like Rayna," Johnson notes. Fans can also expect "surprising evolutions" with Teddy and Layla this season. X
Jenna M.: What's coming up for my favorite troublemaker Juliette on Nashville?
Oh, aside from the fact that Hayden Panettiere's real-life pregnancy is definitely being written into the show, setting the stage for some major baby daddy drama? Well, Juliette is heading to Hollywood in an attempt to headline a major biopic about one of country music's most iconic singers. (Hint: her last name starts with a C!) But will an it boy actor, whose already been cast as her onscreen hubby, get in her way? X
Question: Nashville Season 3 intel, please and thank you. –Naomi
Ausiello: I’ve got more detail on the circumstances that bring Dancing With the Stars‘ Derek Hough into the Music City scene: The biopic in which his character, Noah West, is involved chronicles the life of Patsy Cline — and one of the women on the ABC drama’s canvas also becomes somehow involved with the film (and with Noah…?). X
Why me. WHY ME. I ask for so little. Just a little more background on Avery and NO MORE CHARACTERS CONNECTED TO LUKE.
Static Waves
09-16-2014 09:42 PM
I'm at the point of confusion at this point.
I just frankly don't understand.
soapbubbles511
09-16-2014 09:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cristofle
(Post 78015229)
Why me. WHY ME. I ask for so little. Just a little more background on Avery and NO MORE CHARACTERS CONNECTED TO LUKE.
I'm still waiting for one of the leads to be allowed a POV in her own life... but apparently that's too much to ask for too... because she's clearly needed to prop a complete flop of a character :sigh:
Cristofle
09-16-2014 09:45 PM
That would also help, since I currently can't connect to her even though the actress who plays her has also played one of my top ten female faves EVER, so it ain't Connie that's the problem, lol.
Static Waves
09-16-2014 09:53 PM
anyone who knows me knows Connie's been my #1 for a lifetime now... so this whole mess is utterly disappointing.
the sad thing is... if the writers had given Connie worthy material, she would have won the Emmy for them.
The academy has been DYING to give her that Emmy since the FNL oversight. There is no other explanation for her getting the nom for AHS. Instead, she spent her time in a coma and hugging clare bowen. dear lord. my connie heart dies every time I think of how marginalized she is on this show.
hangingonalie
09-16-2014 10:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Static Waves
(Post 78015518)
the sad thing is... if the writers had given Connie worthy material, she would have won the Emmy for them.
The academy has been DYING to give her that Emmy since the FNL oversight. There is no other explanation for her getting the nom for AHS. Instead, she spent her time in a coma and hugging clare bowen. dear lord.
LOL, but so true about that AHS nom. The writers really don't care about Rayna :( S2 was Scarlett now it's Luke. I CANNOT. Why can't Connie get scenes with ACTUAL ACTORS?! Her dynamic with Hayden and Chip is amazing. I'm sure the same would apply to JJ but we haven't gotten that yet (idk who I'm kidding with that "yet", sigh)
Static Waves
09-16-2014 10:17 PM
rayna was kicked out of her house at 16. she had a clearly manipulative father that there was some clear back and forth with. they could have fleshed that out. instead they decided to give her a 13 year paternity secret, a coma, and a fake position as a label head where she was basically an idiot the entire time, waiting for the other shoe to drop with Scarlett while caring more about her relationship with Luke.
I complain about avery having no backstory, but I'm not an idiot. he's not the lead. Rayna on the other hand IS. And its Connie Britton.
