'Nashville' Renewed for Third Season, Filming Remains in Nashville

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Friday, May 16, 2014

"Nashville" fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief after ABC ordered another season of "Nashville" this week.

Furthermore, ABC announced that the dramatic television series will resume filming in Nashville later this year. According to reports on Friday, "Nashville" producers and local officials settled on an $8 million incentive package for keeping the filming in Music City. The agreement for season three is much less than that reached for season two, which totaled $13.25 million.

"It was not an easy decision to make," Nashville Mayor Karl Dean explained, according to TasteofCountry.com. "We obviously had lots of conversations, and I'm sure it's not the amount they wanted. It's been an overwhelmingly good thing for the city. We have a strong tourism economy and a strong convention economy, this this just adds to it in a way we would never be able to do on our own."

"Nashville" premiered in 2013, being broadcast in over 50 countries, resulting in a boost in tourism in the drama television series' namesake city. The musical drama stars Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton and Chris Carmack, among many others.

Meanwhile, "Nashville" just concluded its second season with a finale entitled "On the Other Hand" earlier this week. However, fans can already look forward to an array of storylines in season three.

The emotional finale sent the television series in an entirely new direction, laying the groundwork for a trailblazing storyline for season three since the cover was blown off of Will, the sexually conflicted character who is in a sham marriage to Layla. Furthermore, Rayna, the lead character portrayed by Britton on "Nashville," must choose between the father of her daughter, Deacon, or her new love interest, Luke, after both men proposed in the final moments of season two.

Also, next season will see more of Rayna and Juliette (Panettiere), according to "Nashville" executive producer Dee Johnson.

"Juliette totally admires Rayna- though she would never say that to her face- and Rayna has been down the road that Juliette is currently on," Johnson explained to TVLine. "So they will always be crossing paths."