Nashville TV show cancelled by ABC. Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes and Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley. Photo: ABC/Mark Levine.
We previously reported that there was an alternate, happy ending shot for the Nashville TV show, which was recently cancelled by ABC. Lionsgate TV, instead, decided to go with the originally planned cliffhanger, which left Juliette Barnes’ (Hayden Panettiere) fate up in the air (sorry) after her plane disappeared. Now, Lionsgate is reportedly ready to make the happy ending, involving a reunion between Juliette and Avery (Jonathan Jackson), available to fans.
Lionsgate chair, Kevin Beggs, said they decided to go with the cliffhanger, because it was a better story. That said, it was also an intentional move, in the effort to tempt another network or platform to order the fifth season of Nashville. The Country Music drama series also stars Connie Britton, Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Chris Carmack.
Here is more, from THR (emphasis added):
So what will come of that unaired happy ending scene between Avery and Juliette? Producing partners ABC Studios have rights to the DVD distribution deal, though Beggs said Lionsgate would make an alternate conclusion available. “I’m sure we would figure out a satisfying way for audiences to see an alternative ending — but it won’t be as good as the ending we have given them,” he said. “In a perfect world, we’d be making this show for many more seasons. Our hope and intention is to have an asset that continues to grow for many years.”
For now, syndicated repeats of Nashville can be found on music-themed network AXS TV as Beggs says he’s open to a spin-off of sorts — so long as it starts with a fifth season of the flagship.
“We love spin-offs, but it’s premature to think about that because we feel the flagship has many more miles to go,” he said. “If the right opportunity came, we would do it, but it would be in the context of continuing with this and seeing where we go down the line.”
Although Lionsgate TV has not confirmed where it is shopping the fifth season of Nashville, most reports have mentioned Hulu, which currently has the first four seasons of Nashville available to paid subscribers. Other outlets rumored to be in the running are Netflix, CMT, Lifetime, Bravo, and E!. The THR report includes a reminder that Lionsgate owns the Epix and Pop TV channels.
Reportedly, Beggs and Lionsgate TV have not ruled out a deal like the one Connie Britton’s Friday Night Lights got, from DirecTV and NBC. The first two seasons of Friday Night Lights ran exclusively on NBC (in first run). When the critically acclaimed high school football drama under-performed in the ratings, NBCUniversal made a deal in which subsequent seasons would be co-produced by DirecTV, which then ran the series months ahead of the NBC network broadcast.
What do you think? Do you want to see the happy ending of the Nashville TV series? Do you think another network or streaming service will order season five of the Nashville TV show? Where do you think the show belongs?
Nashville is a breath of fresh air! It offers something totally different from all of the police shows and other “soap opera” type of shows that currently are available. Please keep it on TV!!!
Nashville was one of the few shows i looked forward to. I don’t want a conclusion, I want it to continue. I found the storylines to be compelling and believeble, and the characters to be real, all with flaws and strengths.Plus the music was great.
Pleazzzzz keep Nashville on TV! It is worth more than half the shows that remain after several seasons. We need the “escape”, the depth, and the drama. Keeps me sain to disappear into their lives once a week! :)~
I will watch! Regardless of where or by who the next series is produced…Lets Go!
I really liked the show and hated that it ended. Some parts of it were not as great but everything good seems to go off the main networks. If it goes to another network, that would be a good idea or even if it signs up for another season.
My understanding is that Nashville ended because of Tennessee’s anti-civil rights laws against LGBT people. The show so clearly called for tolerance and compassion toward this population, exposing the hatred and ignorance and downright evil of those who condemn others for being different. So it makes sense that the show had to end. Tennessee does not deserve to have this show representing its culture. If the show could continue, I think it would be a service to humanity, because it so clearly represents the very best of humanity in all its failings and attempts to do right. But maybe it… Read more »
Keep Nashville!!! If the 18-49 demographic can’t appreciate good acting and story lines then let the rest of us enjoy it. I watched Friday Night Lights and found it to be a very high quality production. One reason I like Hulu and Netflix so well is because they keep the good quality shows and seem to care about what their viewers like. I sure hope the show continues like Fri Nights did.
I saw this finale and felt like some of it was an ambush to the loyal fans. This cast was outstanding on this show and it has been bewildering since Day 1 about why the country music fans did not rally in support behind it. I hope the 2 little girl sisters can establish a good career for themselves after the great exposure for them on this show. If the show had any flaws at all, then it had to do with the predictability of love affairs constantly playing out between the cast members instead of externalizing new guest cast… Read more »
I don’t want to see a So called, “Happy Ending” to, ” Nashville ” ❗ I, ALONG With OTHER FANS, WE WANT NASHVILLE TO CONTINUE ON❗ There are so many TV Shows that seem to go on & on for years! I don’t get this! Why do people want to watch TV shows about Murder, Crime, Evil crap or, Stupid Reality Shows, etc, etc! When we can watch, Nashville, instead. Such awesomeness on Nashville! Perfect actors, great music…. Nashville is the Real Deal.❗ What’s the public afraid of anyways?? Too close to the truth about what goes on behind the… Read more »