Connie Britton has signed a deal with the ABC network to star in a pilot episode of their new drama Nashville, Deadline.com reported yesterday (March 6, 2012). Set against the backdrop of the Nashville country music scene, the series is being billed as a "family soap about love, country music, family, politics and sex."
Connie Britton will play the role of Rayna James, a 40 year old Nashville music legend, whose star is waning. Her record label asks her to pair up with Juliette Barnes (played by Hayden Panettiere), a teen sensation, on tour. If she refuses, she faces losing the support of the label and any promotion of her recent album. The fact that she is the sole breadwinner for her family adds pressure to her to conform. Nashville will be produced by Lionsgate and Abc Studios. Previously, Britton was seen playing the role of Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights, reprising the role from the film of the same name. She played the role between 2006-11 and earned herself two Emmy nominations in the process. Later this year, she will be seen appearing alongside Keira Knightley and Steve Carell in 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World'.