ABC’s new TV drama Nashville can firmly set its sights on many seasons to come, as the premiere went down well with audiences and critics alike, reports CBS news.

Not to be confused with Glee, Smash, or any other musically-attuned show on TV today, Nashville’s music is part of the show, but doesn’t define the show. Don’t get us wrong, the tunes are an integral part of the series, but that’s simply because of their close connection to the show’s namesake town. Conflict: the crux of any good drama on television is ample in Nashville. Connie Britton stars as Rayna James, a country music veteran whose career is more ‘greatest hits’ than ‘debut smash.’ Her record label wants her to combine tours with Juliette Barnes (played by Hayden Panettiere) a much younger pop-country rival whose fledging career is on the up. The well-written pilot shifts through the gears of characters, who are all at different points in their careers, and on the social/political ladder, much like HBO’s The Wire did within the crime genre. With a witty script, confident acting and a bold, genuine plot, Nashville looks like a TV favourite waiting to happen.

Episode 1 aired last night, October 10, 2012 and if you missed it, you’ve got plenty of time to catch up, because the next episode won’t hit TV screens until October 17, 2012, with episode 3 on the 24th. Get involved!