After the recent announcement of the casting of Rhiannon Giddens and Jen Richards, the producers of the American musical drama TV series “Nashville” has announced the inclusion of actor Murray Bartlett in the upcoming Season 5 of the show to air on January 5, 2017 on CMT.
The news spawned speculations that “Nashville” may break into the world of fashion as well and somehow partially veer off its country music storyline.
Bartlett, who was last seen in the daytime TV series “Looking,” will take on the role of Jakob Fine, a very handsome, charismatic, and successful men’s fashion designer, reports Deadline.
It will be a recurring role for Bartlett and fans are already very excited for the new casting additions to the show.
Apart from the new casting additions, “Nashville” Season 5 shall also have two new showrunners in Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, who took over from Dee Johnson. Zwick and Herskovitz will be joining Steve Buchanan and Callie Khouri as executive producers.
Happy to be back
Most of the stars of “Nashville” are happy to be back filming for Season 5 which would have a new home after airing for four seasons on ABC.
Actor Charles Esten says that he never had a doubt for a second that “Nashville” would have a Season 5 even after ABC canceled it following its Season 4 finale in May. But he broke into a hearty laugh before he could finish his sentence.
In addition to Esten, the other actors were also in very good mood before the start of the filming include Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Lennon and Maisy Stella. Series creator Callie Khourie and new co-showrunner Marshall Herskovitz also expressed their excitement for Season 5 of “Nashville” via a two-minute footage, details TV Line.
Jackson, who plays Avery Barkley in the TV series, says that it feels like the Season 5 of “Nashville” is already a new show, which was also seconded by Lennon Stella, who plays Maddie Conrad in the TV series.
Noticeably absent in the promo teaser for “Nashville” Season 5 are Hayden Panettiere, who plays Juliette Barnes, and new cast member Jen Richards.
Helping Juliette cope with her physical ordeal
Transgender actress Jen Richards, who is known for her work on “I Am Cait” and “Her Story,” shall be taking on the role of Allyson Del Lago, a physical therapist who shall be helping Juliette Barnes cope with her physical ordeal in the aftermath of the plane crash where she figured into.
Allyson Del Lago is described as a tough but understanding physical therapist who helps Juliette through one of her most difficult challenges, based on a previous teaser by CMT.
According to some spoilers, Juliette shall survive the plane crash but she would need someone to lean on and Dr. Del Lago will provide her with such.
It has already been reported that Jen Richards will be playing a significant role in Juliette’s healing process since the country singer’s life would be in shambles after the accident.
There are speculations saying that she might think of not going back to the stage again but Allyson would provide her the needed physical and moral support to recover from her emotional and physical ordeal all the way towards her full recovery.
In addition to Jen Richards, there will be new characters who shall be joining “Nashville” Season 5 including Grammy award-winner Rhiannon Giddens, who shall be playing a social worker with a beautiful voice.
There are also reports saying that the producers of “Nashville” are also looking for an African-American actor to play Clay, an upcoming musician. In fact, the show is holding an open audition for the character.