Cuts on the show were expected as it has to adjust from a Big 4 broadcast network license fee to a basic cable fee.
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Chase’s character Luke, who was introduced as Rayna’s (Connie Britton) love interest in season 2, had very little to do after his engagement to her came to an end. In the Season 4 finale, Luke celebrated victory in his campaign to support client Will Lexington against homophobia, reconciled with his son and even reconnected with his ex-wife for a happily ever after.
It’s unclear why exactly Peeples and Chase are leaving the series but it’s likely a combination of contract and story issues.
Peeples played Layla Grant, a rising country star who was determined to undercut Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) because of her involvement in Jeff Fordham’s (Oliver Hudson) death.
Brian Phillips, the president of CMT, is excited to have Nashville on board.
“CMT heard the fans. The wave of love and appreciation they have unleashed for Nashville has been overwhelming”, he said in a recent statement. “We see our fans and ourselves in this show and we will treasure it like no other network.Nashville belongs on CMT”. “Nashville belongs on CMT”, Philips said, according to TV Line.
Despite CMT’s head of development Jayson Dinsmore telling Deadline earlier this month, “Our expectation and our hope is that everyone will participate in this next cycle”, Nashville is set to lose two series regulars.
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Instead, the site alleged that the news “comes as new executive producers Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick take over show-running duties” as the drama finds its new home.
