Nashville is currently airing its fourth season on ABC, and the series is waiting for word on season five. However, new legislation being looked at in the state could be the future of the series in jeopardy.
Connie Britton, the star of the series and one of its executive producers, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, about the impact that the proposed anti-gay legislation could have on the series.
She said the following:
“I shoot a TV show in Tennessee, and honestly, if they proceed with this, I’m not necessarily going to feel comfortable working there. That is a tricky situation because of course we employ a lot of people in the state, and you certainly don’t want to have to interrupt that, but at the same time, this is the only way that we can have our voices be heard.”
On the series, fans have seen the story of Will Lexington, as he has battled his own issues with going public with his sexuality and building his country music career. Britton touched on the storyline with her comments. She has seen a positive reaction to Will’s story in Nashville. She said that, “I can’t help but feel — and maybe it’s because I’m an idealist — that there’s a real desire for progress, at least within the community, which is why it’s such a slap in the face.”
If the law goes through, would Britton and the series pull out of Nashville? That was not said, but a show called Nashville, filmed in Nashville entirely, and set in Nashville, would have a hard time moving to another state.
Lionsgate pulled out their own planned production for a Hulu pilot after North Carolina passed their own anti-gay legislation last month.
Are you a fan of Nashville? How do you feel about Britton’s comments? Tell us what you think.
I loved the show! Never missed an episode. I would like to see it continue without the gay scenes. I just don’t think you have to bring in the gay agenda on every TV show there is. It doesn’t add any real substance to the story line. I don’t see any problem with them leaving out the Religious areas of the show and no one howls about that?! So why must it go down this gay agenda line? Just sayin.
Nashville is the best show on tv. Please don’t let
this be the end of the story.
States are sovereign if you don’t like their laws which do represent a large majority of their residents don’t go there. If you are there leave. Liberals have no morals. I strongly support states pushing back against the anti Christian agenda of the not so intellectual minority.
Why it is a great show I spend time in Nashville in the late sixty Don’t be like those hillbilly in NC
Politics and Entertainment don’t mix….So because I live in Tennessee, in Nashville, I am not a fan worthy of a performance (in regards to the musical performers who have removed shows from states who have passed legislation), actors and actresses are not politicians….there is a time and place for their beliefs, you perform and you act for the people who watch…the people who support you….just because a state passes legislation or doesn’t pass legislation does not make any one fan less important….
Keep art separate from politics, just like medical providers are tasked with being neutral as to gender/ identity issues. Who cares if you or your doctor is gay. You simply want to be assisted back to health. I see no reason for the “law” – any ethical counselor is free to refer a client to someone most qualified to treat issues they don’t specialize in. That’s not the same thing as “refusing” – it’s acting in client’s best interest. I don’t want a foot doctor working on my heart, you know?
Frankly, I am getting tired of proformers getting involved with politics. Are they “proformers” or “politicians?” I love the show “Nashville,” but I am disappointed that the producers would pull the plug on the show because their views are different from the majority of the people in the state of Tennessee.
I have not read the bill, so I don’t know if I agree or disagree, that is not the point.
But if they cancel to punish peple who don’t agree with them, I will make sure that I never watch any future TV shows produced by the Nashville team.
Frankly, I am getting tired of politicians getting involved with people’s private lives, and what way a person wishes to swing. Most artistic folk have strong consciences, and generally support liberal thinking, unlike politicians who simply sway which ever way the vote-wind blows, In fact, it’s been a long time since I met a politician with a conscience, or a bible-basher with a conscience, other than their own narrow agenda.
I love the show, I would hate to see it end. I do believe this definitely a problem for the show and all the people of Tennessee. Get with the times. Life is life and why should you dictate how people choose whom they love. I am a 65 year old gramma and I don’t think it’s the states business.
The ratings are where they should be for this crashingly boring show. Why prolong the death scene? The storylines are predictable, the characters are one-dimensional and extremely whiney. Ugh. No one I respect watches the show unless they personally know an EXTRA who has a day job onset. Please go to the Soap Opera Graveyard and be replaced with something worth watching. Via con Dios rapido! Go quickly as well. Thanks
Well, Nashville has now been removed from the list of shows I watch.
This is a childish, asinine, short-sighted position to take. It is a highly politicized, issue which has a LOT of opposition. Inasmuch as it is a genuinely contested issue, it is senseless to base a business (and, more importantly, a professional artists) position on this single issue. Moreover, it is highly hypocritical as TN is a State wherein most people oppose same-sex issue and Nashville has not only known this and continued to film there but they even have this issue (homosexuality) as a major sub-plot in the series. Artists of all genres (music, movies, TV shows, etc.) should keep… Read more »
I hope she doesn’t. She’s my favorite actress and the show will not be the same without her. Hope the show us renewed, all political issues resolved and Connie remains in Nashville. The show is incomplete without its regular cast playing the characters fans care about.
I don’t think she would leave the show. I think the show would leave nashville.