"Nashville" Season 5 is coming, and there are good news and bad news for fans of the musical drama soap. The good news is that the series is now sure returning with its move to CMT. However, two of "Nashville" regulars Will Chase and Aubrey Peeples will be exiting the country music drama with its CMT debut.
Luke Wheeler (Chase) and Layla Grant (Peeples) were the only main characters not joining "Nashville" Season 5, according to TV Line. Other regular casts, including Hayden Panettiere and Connie Britton are in a safer place as their contract will remain intact with the series.
Chase first appeared in Season 2 opposite Connie Britton, who portrays the role of Rayna James. He became a regular cast in Season 3, but the twist of the story left him alone when Rayna reconciled with Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten).
Peeples became a mainstay in Season 4 after frequent appearances in the previous seasons. However, her love interest Jeff Forham (Oliver Hudson) was killed on the start of Season 4 after he worked for another series "Scream Queens." Peeples became preoccupied with other stints that time, including the "Holograms" remake and "Jem" that led to her frequent absences.
The "Nashville" Season 5 cast news followed the signing of CMT as the new on-air home of "Nashville" beginning Season 5. In May, ABC canceled the Lionsgate Television-produced series that shocked many. The series was picked up by CMT after a unique agreement as Hulu retains its streaming rights.
"CMT heard the fans," The Hollywood Reporter quoted CMT president Brian Philips as saying during the signing of the deal. "The wave of love and appreciation they have unleashed for Nashville has been overwhelming. Nashville is a perfect addition to our evolving lineup of big music specials, documentaries and original series."
Changing cast members is not the first time for the series, as Robert Wisdom, Eric Close, Powers Boothe and Oliver Hudson previously graduated from "Nashville." "Nashville" Season 5 welcomes new tandem of showrunners, Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, replacing Dee Johnson.
CMT will be airing a total of 22 episodes for "Nashville" Season 5, and the new episodes are expected to be seen this fall.
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