The third season of the American television musical drama series ''

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...

'', created by

Callie Khouri Carolyn Ann "Callie" Khouri (born November 27, 1957) is an American film and television screenwriter, producer, and director. In 1992, she won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for the film ''Thelma & Louise' ...

, began on September 24, 2014, on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

. The show features an ensemble cast with

Connie Britton Constance Elaine Britton ( Womack; born March 6, 1967) is an American actress. Britton made her feature film debut in the independent comedy-drama film ''The Brothers McMullen'' (1995), and the following year, she was cast as Nikki Faber on the ...

and

Hayden Panettiere Hayden Lesley Panettiere (; born August 21, 1989) is an American actress, model, and singer. She is best known for her lead roles as Claire Bennet on the NBC superhero series ''Heroes (American TV series), Heroes'' and Juliette Barnes in the Am ...

in the leading roles as two country music superstars,

Rayna Jaymes Rayna Alisia Jaymes (née Wyatt; previously Conrad) is a fictional character and one of the two leads in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC/CMT (U.S. TV channel), CMT musical drama series ''Nashville (2012 TV series), Nashville.'' Rayna has b ...

and

Juliette Barnes Juliette Jolene Barnes-Barkley is a fictional character and one of the two leads in the ABC/ CMT musical drama series ''Nashville''. Juliette is portrayed by actress Hayden Panettiere since the pilot episode, which aired on October 10, 2012. J ...

. The episodes are named after country songs from a variety of artists, like

Webb Pierce Michael Webb Pierce (August 8, 1921 – February 24, 1991) was an American honky-tonk vocalist, songwriter and guitarist of the 1950s, one of the most popular of the genre, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the ...

("That's Me Without You"),

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

(a number of songs, like "

The Storm Has Just Begun "The Storm Has Just Begun" is a song by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. Nelson wrote the song at the age of twelve. While working for KWMF, KBOP in Pleasanton, Texas, in 1955, the song was one of the first two ever recorded by Nelso ...

") and

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as " You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My M ...

(" You're Lookin' at Country").

Production

On May 9, 2014, ''Nashville'' was renewed for a third season by ABC. The series was renewed after prolonged negotiations for a full 22-episode season. This season will receive a combined $8 million incentive package from the state of Tennessee, Metro Nashville and other local groups, lower than the Season 2 incentives — which totaled $13.25 million. On March 11, 2014, before the show was renewed, it was announced that

Oliver Hudson Oliver Rutledge Hudson (born September 7, 1976) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Adam Rhodes in the CBS comedy series ''Rules of Engagement'' (2007–2013), Jeff Fordham on the ABC musical drama series ''Nashville'' (2013–20 ...

and

Will Chase Frank William Chase (born September 12, 1970) is a Tony Award-nominated American actor, director, and singer, best known for his work on Broadway and for his role as country superstar Luke Wheeler on ABC's ''Nashville''. Early life and educatio ...

are being promoted to regulars for season three, contingent on the ABC series getting a renewal. The series creator and executive producer later said that "a lot of our characters may not be in every episode this year". On July 30, 2014, it was announced that Tony Award winner

Laura Benanti Laura Ilene Benanti (née Vidnovic; born July 13, 1979) is an American actress and singer. Over the course of her Broadway career, she has received five Tony Award nominations. She played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of '' Gypsy'', winni ...

was cast in the recurring role of country star Sadie Stone who is Rayna's friend. On August 1, 2014, it was announced that the first episode of the season will be aired

live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film *'' ''Live'' (Apocalyptica DVD) Music *Live (band), American alternative rock band * List of albums ...

, and will consist of musical performances broadcast directly from the Bluebird Café. This will be the first time in TV history that a scripted drama has attempted this musical feat. On August 11, 2014, it was announced that actress-singer Brette Taylor joined the cast in a major recurring role as Pam, Luke’s sultry, extroverted new backup singer, and

Alexa PenaVega Alexa Ellesse PenaVega (née Vega; born August 27, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Carmen Cortez in the ''Spy Kids'' film series and Julie Corky in the 2004 film ''Sleepover''. In 2009, she starred as the ...

also was cast for a multi-episode arc as Kiley, Gunnar’s first love and who is now a single mother. On August 14, 2014, it was announced that the Emmy Award Winning dancer

Derek Hough Derek Bruce Hough (; born May 17, 1985) is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer, actor and singer. From 2007 to 2016, Hough was a professional dancer on the ABC dance competition series ''Dancing with the Stars'', wi ...

, would also join the cast for a multi-episode arc as Noah West. On the same day, it was announced that Judith Hoag (Tandy Hampton) will be leaving the show after the second episode, but may return later. (She makes a guest appearance in "First To Have A Second Chance.") On September 12, 2014, it was announced that

Mykelti Williamson Mykelti Williamson (born March 4, 1957) is an American actor best known for his roles in the films ''Forrest Gump'', ''Con Air'' and ''Ali'', and the television shows ''Boomtown'', '' 24'', and '' Justified''. In 2016, he portrayed Gabriel Maxso ...

was cast in a four-episode arc as musician who, after personal tragedy, lives as a nomad on the streets of Nashville. On October 27, 2014, it was announced that Moniqua Plante also was cast for a multiple-episode arc as Natasha, a woman, who "expected to provide some jaw-dropping twists for Teddy". Country singer

Sara Evans Sara Lynn Evans (; born February 5, 1971) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is also credited as a record producer, actress, and author. She had five songs reach the number one spot on the '' Billboard'' country songs ch ...

joined the cast as a fictionalized version of herself. She had guest starring role in the episode dated October 29, 2014 and set to possible recurring return later with major story arc. On January 23, 2015, it was announced that

Kyle Dean Massey Kyle Dean Massey (born November 17, 1981) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his leading roles in the Broadway musicals ''Wicked'' – for which he has played Fiyero on-and-off from 2007 to 2019 – ''Next to Normal,'' and ''P ...

joined the cast in a recurring role as openly gay country music singer-songwriter Kevin Bicks.

Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera (; ; born December 18, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Known for her four-octave vocal range and ability to sustain high notes, she has been referred to as the " Voice of ...

later was cast as a pop superstar Jade St. John for a multi-episode arc. Filming for season three ended on April 17, 2015.

Cast

Regular

Clare Bowen Clare Maree Bowen (born 12 May 1984) is an Australian actress and singer, best known for her role as Scarlett O'Connor in the ABC/ CMT musical-drama television series ''Nashville''. Alongside her music releases from ''Nashville'' and her solo d ...

as Scarlett O'Connor *

Chris Carmack James Christopher Carmack (born December 22, 1980) is an American actor, singer, and former fashion model. He is known for his roles in three popular television shows—the teen drama series '' The O.C.'' (2003–2004) as Luke Ward, the country ...

as Will Lexington *

as Luke Wheeler *

Eric Close Eric Randolph Close (born May 24, 1967) is an American actor, best known for his roles in television series, particularly as FBI agent Martin Fitzgerald in the CBS mystery drama ''Without a Trace'' (2002–2009) and Teddy Conrad in the ABC m ...

as Teddy Conrad *

Charles Esten Charles Esten Puskar III (born September 9, 1965), also known professionally as Charles Esten, and Chip Esten, is an American actor, musician and comedian. Esten played the role of country singer Deacon Claybourne on the ABC/ CMT drama ''Nashvi ...

as Deacon Clayborne *

as Jeff Fordham * Jonathan Jackson as

Avery Barkley ''Nashville (2012 TV series), Nashville'' is an American Musical film, musical drama television series. It was created by Academy Award winner Callie Khouri and produced by R. J. Cutler, Khouri, Steve Buchanan, Marshall Herskovitz, and Edward Zwic ...

Sam Palladio Sam Christian Palladio Scott (born 21 November 1986) is an English actor and musician. He is best known for his starring role as Gunnar Scott in the ABC musical drama series '' Nashville'' (2012–18). Palladio has also had recurring roles on ...

Gunnar Scott '' Nashville'' is an American musical drama television series. It was created by Academy Award winner Callie Khouri and produced by R. J. Cutler, Khouri, Steve Buchanan, Marshall Herskovitz, and Edward Zwick. The series stars Connie Britton as ...

Lennon Stella Lennon Ray Louise Stella (born August 13, 1999) is a Canadian singer and actress. She portrayed Maddie Conrad on the musical-drama series ''Nashville'' (2012–2018). Before going solo in 2018, Stella performed with her sister as the duo Lennon ...

as Maddie Conrad *

Maisy Stella Maisy Jude Marion Stella (born December 13, 2003) is a Canadian singer and actress. She is known for her role as Daphne Conrad on the musical television series ''Nashville'' (2012–2018). In 2017, she released her debut solo song, "Riding Free" ...

as Daphne Conrad

Recurring

Aubrey Peeples Aubrey Shea Peeples (born November 26, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her role as Layla Grant in the ABC drama series ''Nashville.'' She can be seen in the upcoming series ''Unconventional'' by show-runner Kit Williams ...

as Layla Grant *

David Alford Ben David Alford (born December 20, 1964) is an American actor, playwright, and author, best known for portraying Bucky Dawes on the television series '' Nashville''. Early life Alford was born and raised in Adams, Tennessee on his family's f ...

as Bucky Dawes *

as Sadie Stone *

Kourtney Hansen Kourtney Horner, known by her stage name Kourtney Hansen (born c. 1980) is an American entrepreneur, actress, dancer, and on-air radio personality who had a recurring role as Emily on the television series '' Nashville''. She is married to J ...

as Emily *

Ed Amatrudo Edward Amatrudo is an American actor, best known for his role as Glenn Goodman, Juliette Barnes's manager, in the ABC television drama series, '' Nashville''. He appeared on a recurring basis starting with the pilot episode, aired in October 2012. ...

as Glenn Goodman * Andi Rayne and Nora Gill as Cadence Barkley * Nick Jandl as Dr. Caleb Rand * Moniqua Plante as Natasha * Chaley Rose as Zoey Dalton * Gunnar Sizemore as Micah Brenner * Keean Johnson as Colt Wheeler *

as Kiley Brenner *

Brette Taylor Brette Taylor is an American actress and country music singer-songwriter. Taylor was born in Cincinnati and raised in NYC. She graduated High School of Performing Arts and also studied with the Cincinnati Ballet Preparatory Company at the Un ...

as Pam York *

as Kevin Bicks * Judith Hoag as Tandy Hampton *

as Terry George *

as Noah West *

as Jade St. John *

Scott Reeves Gregory Scott Reeves (born May 16, 1966) is an American actor and country music singer. His best known roles include Noel Laughlin on ABC's ''Nashville'', Ryan McNeil on ''The Young and the Restless'', and Steven Webber on ''General Hospital ...

as Noel Laughlin *

Rex Linn Rex Maynard Linn (born November 13, 1956) is an American film and television actor. He is best known domestically for playing the role of Sgt. Frank Tripp in the CBS drama ''CSI: Miami'' and more recently for playing Kevin Wachtell in the televi ...

as Bill Lexington

Guest

Dana Wheeler-Nicholson Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (born October 9, 1960) is an American actress and singer best known for her roles in the films '' Fletch'' (1985), '' Tombstone'' (1993), ''Fast Food Nation'' (2006) and '' Parkland'' (2013). She is also known for her role ...

as Beverly O'Connor * Sylvia Jefferies as Jolene Barnes *

The Band Perry The Band Perry are an American band composed of siblings Kimberly Perry (lead vocals, guitar), Reid Perry (bass guitar, background vocals), and Neil Perry (mandolin, bouzouki, background vocals). They signed to Republic Nashville in August 2009 ...

Luke Bryan Thomas Luther "Luke" Bryan (born July 17, 1976) is an American country music, country singer, songwriter, and television personality. He began his music career writing songs for Travis Tritt and Billy Currington before signing with Capitol Reco ...

as himself *

as a fictionalized version of herself *

Florida Georgia Line Florida Georgia Line is an American country music duo founded in 2010 by Tyler Hubbard of Georgia and Brian Kelley of Florida, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. Their 2012 debut single " Cruise" broke two major sales records: it was ...

Joe Nichols Joseph Edward Nichols (born November 26, 1976) is an American country music artist. Between 1996 and 2001, he held recording contracts with the Intersound and Giant labels. In 2002, he signed with Universal South Records, now known as Show Dog-U ...

as himself *

Brad Paisley Bradley Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album ''Who Needs Pictures'', he has released eleven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashvil ...

as himself *

Amy Robach Amy Joanne Robach (born February 6, 1973) is an American television reporter for ABC News. She is the co-anchor of ''20/20'' and the breaking news anchor/fill-in anchor for '' Good Morning America''. She was a national correspondent for NBC N ...

as herself *

Anthony Ruivivar Anthony Michael Ruivivar (born ) is an American actor. He is known for playing Carlos Nieto on ''Third Watch'' and Alex Longshadow on ''Banshee''. He also voiced Batman on '' Beware the Batman''. Early life and education Ruivivar was born in ...

as ''Rolling Stone'' reporter *

Carrie Underwood Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American singer. She rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of ''American Idol'' in 2005. Her single "Inside Your Heaven" made her the only country artist to debut atop the ''Bill ...

as herself *

Trisha Yearwood Patricia Lynn Yearwood (born September 19, 1964) is an American singer, actress, author and television personality. She rose to fame with her 1991 debut single " She's in Love with the Boy," which became a number one hit on the ''Billboard'' c ...

as herself *

Pam Tillis Pamela Yvonne Tillis (born July 24, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis and ex-wife of songwriter Bob DiPiero. Tillis recorded unsuccessful p ...

as herself *

Mario Lopez Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on ''Saved by the Bell'', ''Sa ...

as himself *

Tracey Edmonds Tracey Elaine Edmonds (née McQuarn; born February 18, 1967) is an American businesswoman, television producer and personality. She is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and Alrightnow.com and is a former host of the television show '' E ...

as herself *

Charissa Thompson Charissa Jean Thompson (born May 4, 1982) is an American television host and sportscaster working for Fox Sports. Previously, Thompson worked for ESPN, Versus, as well as for GSN and the Big Ten Network. She was the co-host of '' SportsNation ...

as herself *

Terri Clark Terri Lynn Sauson, known professionally as Terri Clark, born August 5, 1968, is a Canadian country music singer who has had success in both Canada and the United States. Signed to Mercury Records in 1995, she released her self-titled debut that ...

as herself *

Chuck Wicks Charles Elliott Wicks (born June 20, 1979) is an American country music artist and radio personality. He was one of the participants on the American reality series ''Nashville (2007 TV series), Nashville'', which aired on Fox Broadcasting Compa ...

as himself *

Blair Garner Blair Garner is an American radio personality best known for his work in country radio. Garner spent over two decades as a nationally syndicated overnight disc jockey, first hosting ''After Midnite'' for Premiere Networks and then ''The Blair Gar ...

as himself *

Bobby Bones Bobby Bones (born Bobby Estell) is an American radio and television personality, best known for hosting the nationally syndicated ''The Bobby Bones Show'', originating at KISS-FM in Austin, TX, and for his role as a full-time mentor on ''America ...

as himself *

Lorrie Morgan Loretta Lynn Morgan (born June 27, 1959) is an American country music singer and actress. She is the daughter of George Morgan, widow of Keith Whitley, and ex-wife of Jon Randall and Sammy Kershaw, all of whom are also country music singers. Mo ...

as herself

Episodes

U.S. ratings

References

External links

* * {{Nashville (TV series)

Season 3 A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...

2014 American television seasons 2015 American television seasons