How do you feel about the season four ending of Nashville? Lionsgate chief Kevin Beggs recently defended the cliffhanger ending in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier this month, we reported that ABC cancelled Nashville after four seasons. However, Lionsgate says they are committed to finding a new home for the country music drama.
In the interview, Beggs said the season four cliffhanger was the intended ending for the season, not the show necessarily:
There’s a little short-term pain but ultimately long-term gain because we intend and are quite focused and are in substantive and serious conversations with multiple buyers about continuing the show on another platform. If we didn’t feel that was going to happen, we might have gone a different way.”
He added that a happy ending would’ve been a “disservice” to the fans:
The ending we ran was the ending always envisioned for this season. These things are crafted over weeks and months. In our estimation, to go with a quickly assembled too-easy wrap-up is more of a disservice to the fans who have invested four years in this great cast and these great stories. And there’s more stories to tell.”
As we reported earlier, an alternative season four ending was shot and will be made available to fans. In the “happy” alternative, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) and Avery (Jonathan Jackson) reunite.
Beggs said that he has every intention to continue Nashville so the cliffhanger won’t be the end of the series:
Our job as a studio with the creative team is to give Ed and Marshall maximum flexibility — not limitation. This is the ending that was intended. I think it’s more of a disservice to try to hastily put something together that’s not satisfying. There will be detractors, but on the whole, the notion that this show will continue has been so positively received that I have to play the long game. And the long game is about keeping this show going. We wouldn’t take such a strong position to advocate for the ending that we wanted to stick with — the original ending that was crafted by our team — if we didn’t feel good about our chances moving forward.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of Nashville? Did you like the season four ending? Do you think the show should continue?
I loved Nashville. Looked forward to watching it every week. Very talented artists as well as good stories. I was so sad to see it end. Surprisingly my husband felt the same . One of the few shoes we watched together. Please bring it back!!!
My husband and I loved Nashville it was one of our favorite shows. We were very disappointed when it was canceled. Would love to see someone pick it up and bring it back.
I love this show, I can’t believe they cancelled it! I hope it is picked up by another network!!
Very good ending but hoping it continues on a new station and very soon.
The ending to season four has me on the edge of my seat begging for more. I truly love this show and would hate to see all the wonderful musical talent and story end after only four seasons. To the talented team of writers, you have had me in tears, laughter, joy and suspense, even though this is just a TV show it has really brought so much heartfelt emotions and thoughts into my life. Thank you so much and I wish you the best of luck and finding a new home for Nashville. I look forward to season 5… Read more »
I really hope they find a new format. I love the show especially now that the whole Maddy thing is over.
Please reconsider your decision to cancel Nashville. I know a lot of folks that feel the same way. Most are senior citizens that do not use social media and cannot speak up. Big mistake ABC!
I felt like this was the best prim time show on, there are so many stupid comedies on these days I now will not look forward to Wednesday nights anymore:( I’m hoping someone will pick it up the music and the story lines were exceptional. I guess I go back to HBO to be entertained:(
I loved this show and could hardly wait till the next episode every week. It showcased artists, dealt with real life issues, had great actors and characters with some awesome guest stars. I will miss it but hope it does get picked up elsewhere and I will go there. ABC, there are so many other shows you could have cancelled.
Maybe Netflix will be smart and pick it up as they did with Longmire. I hope so. There are only a couple of TV shows worth watching, in my determination, and this was one of them. Thank you to all the actors and writers–please, please come back soon!
Cancelling a great show that dealt with important issues; great actors and wonderful music is really a shame. It is a show with excellent word of mouth will continue to build an audience if given another season or two to become a hit for ABC or another network
I truly hope that someone else picks up Nashville. I can’t understand ABC cancelling without at least giving it a final season. I love the show!!
I LIKE THIS SHOW .. ABOUT FAMILY LOVE ALL THE ACTORS . BETTER THAN REVENGE
Please bring the show back, it is the only true show which covers so many issues which is real to life. I have invested 4 years in this show and how it has grown is incredible. It features amazing guest stars and showcases bust out country singers as well as the amazing talent of the cast of Nashville. I am speechless with how the finale ended, so many unanswered questions which need to be answered. I cannot understand why ABC would not continue on with Nashville. It was the only regular show that I watched on their network. It will… Read more »