ABC Drama Films Pilot for New ‘Nashville’ Show With Celebrity Cast
ABC Drama is filming a pilot for a new show titled ‘Nashville,’ which will of course revolve around the life of a 40-year-0ld fictional country superstar who’s struggling with a dip in her career, trying to stay afloat in the industry. But, before you roll your eyes and claim you’ve seen this show one too many times, there’s one thing you have to know: Playing the part of Rayna James, the fading country star, will be none other than the beloved Connie Britton, best known for her role as the understanding yet sassy mom on ‘Friday Night Lights.’
Other celebs who will appear in the pilot are ‘Without a Trace’ star Eric Close and former ‘Heroes’ beauty Hayden Panettiere, as well as Powers Boothe, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson and Robert Wisdon. The family soap was written by ‘Thelma & Louise’ screenwriter Callie Khouri and will take place with the backdrop of Nashville’s music industry.
Directed by R.J. Cutler and produced by ABC Studios, Lionsgate and Gaylord Entertainment, the show follows the character Rayna as her career starts to dwindle, her album sales drop and her label insists she team up with teen talent Juliette Barnes (played by Panettiere) for the remainder of her tour. Close will play the part of Teddy, Rayna’s cute and supportive husband.
We’ll have to wait and see the pilot to see if the theme of this show pans out. It might at first seem like a tired idea, but considering the talent behind the writing and producing, paired with the star-infused cast, we’re thinking this could turn out to be a must-see, especially for fans of country music.