NASHVILLE, June 23 (UPI) — “Nashville” will be short two cast members when it moves to CMT for Season 5.
Will Chase and Aubrey Peeples, who play Luke Wheeler and Layla Grant, won’t return as series regulars, according to TV Line.
Chase appeared to confirm the news by tweeting, “Cowboy boots: Off Tap Shoes: On (Stay tuned),” on Wednesday. He followed up the next day with a sarcastic response to a fan who said his role was “irrelevant” anyway.
Deadline reported Chase and Peeples may return to guest star, depending on their availability. The website said the actors’ departures “are not surprising” given their waning storylines and the show’s move from ABC to CMT.
CMT picked up “Nashville” this month after ABC canceled the musical drama in May. Negotiations with other cast members are still underway, with Connie Britton, Chip Esten and Clare Bowen expected to return.
“Our expectation and our hope is that everyone will participate in this next cycle,” CMT head of programming Jayson Dinsmore previously told Deadline.
“Nashville” star Hayden Panettiere had announced her return to rehab for postpartum depression the same day of the show’s cancellation. The actress temporarily left the series in Season 4 to seek treatment for the condition.
