Charles Esten and Hayden Panettiere attend Build Presents Charles Esten & Hayden Panettiere Discussing 'Nashville' at AOL HQ on January 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy)
Fans expect Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) to be the sole lead character of "Nashville" Season 5 after the death of Rayna James (Connie Britton) in episode 9 titled "If Tomorrow Never Comes." Ed Zwick's co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz was recently asked whether or not a new character will be added to challenge Juliette.
"Yes, the weather is nice today," Herskovitz told TV Line. "I just can't comment. This has always been an article of faith between Ed Zwick and me that we feel that the experience of watching a show is altered when you know what's coming."
According to Herskovitz, the most important thing for him and Zwick is "the audience's experience of the show itself." In another interview with Variety, Herskovitz said Britton made the creative choice to leave the show soon after it was moved from ABC to CMT.
Britton came to Herskovitz and Zwick when CMT picked up "Nashville" and told them that she felt inner conflict, according to Herskovitz. The CMT series showrunner pointed out that as an artist, he understood why the actress felt she needed a different challenge and decided to leave the show after starring in it for four years.
"Nashville" Season 5 episode 10 will air on March 2, Thursday. Juliette will demand to perform at the CMT Music Awards.
On the other hand, Will Lexington (Chris Carmack) and Zach Welles (Cameron Scoggins) will be drawn closer together. Viewers should also expect a legal dispute that will threaten to break the family apart in the episode.
Playing Will's hairstylist in episode 10 is Christy Eidson. Also featured in the episode are Caleb Martin, Laura Fraker, Jordanne Calvin and Ashley Brasel as CMT performer, CMT Awards guest, CMT Awards audience member and CMT event staff, respectively.
Here is a sneak peek of "Nashville" Season 5 episode 10:
