Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere will return for Nashville season 5 on CMT

After Nashville was renewed for season 5 on CMT, there were speculations whether the original cast would return on the show or not. Now, it has been confirmed that actor Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere will be seen in the upcoming season. Britton plays Rayna Jaymes, and Panettiere plays Juliette Barnes on the show.

TV Line reported that the 22-episode season will feature the return of actors like Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Clare Bowen, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella and Chris Carmack.

The news comes after Will Chase and Aubrey Peeples, who played Luke and Layla, respectively, confirmed that they would return for Nashville season 5. ABC had cancelled Nashville after season 4 finale in May, but the drama series was then picked by CMT.

Nashville creator Callie Khouri also spoke about what fans can expect in season 5 at the Tennessee Screenwriting Association seminar. Khouri, who was excited about season five airing on its new network revealed, "They are very interested in telling the same kinds of stories that I am, which is more emotional but less soapy. You still have to have things that hook you emotionally. People have to feel involved."

"It's certainly a good fit for CMT, as they try and get into a scripted universe. Our show is a quality show just in terms of production. We spend a lot of money making it look great. I think it's a really good fit," she added.

Addressing the season 4 finale cliffhanger wherein Juliette Barnes may have died in a plane crash, the creator joked, "Yes, she does [laughs]. I'm not going to tell you! I'm not telling you anything. You'll have to wait and see."