VIDEO: Sneak Peek - ABC's New Series NASHVILLE, Debuting 10/10

One of this fall's most anticipated and critically-acclaimed series, "Nashville," debuts WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network, starring Emmy nominee Connie Britton ("American Horror Story) and Hayden Panettiere ("Heroes"), and created by Oscar-winning screenwriter CALLIE KHOURI ("Thelma & Louise"). Shot entirely in Nashville, Tennessee, each episode of the series takes us into a captivating world of music, power, talent, sex, love, heartbreak and redemption, featuring original songs by established and breakout songwriters sung by the stars of the series.

Music legend and entertainment icon Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) has been one of the industry's top female vocalists for two decades. After working tirelessly to elevate her game, Rayna suddenly discovers her passion for the business is not enough to compete with the new generation of talent lighting up the charts. She is reluctant to accept the emerging trend in the business and refuses to be steamrolled by her longtime label, which she helped build. When they give her an offer she can't refuse, Rayna is forced to accept the harsh reality that she'll have to start over and reinvent herself if she plans on continuing to be relevant.

Offstage things aren't much easier for Rayna, whose father, Lamar Wyatt (Powers Boothe), is Nashville's most powerful businessman. Their distant relationship is strained by years of resentment and powerful secrets that begin to boil over when Lamar and Rayna's sister, Tandy, start a scheme involving Rayna's husband, Teddy (ERIC CLOSE). For Teddy Conrad, this might be his time to share the spotlight instead of being the man behind the woman. For years he's competed against Rayna's greatest love... her music. He's been haunted by her romantic entanglements, which he thought were buried in the past, but now his choice to align himself with Rayna's father could send her running back into the arms of her soul mate.

Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) is sexy, sassy, and she's got trouble written all over her. She's the hottest act in the business and she's not about to let anyone stand in the way of her success, much less Rayna Jaymes. On her way to the top, an even bigger set of circumstances will cast a shadow on her girl-next-door image. But Juliette is calculating, has an insatiable appetite for fame, and will do whatever it takes to leave her hard knocks past behind. Everyone in Nashville has a dream: Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten) is the band leader whose unrequited love is constantly played out in the lyrics of familiar songs; Scarlett O'Connor (CLARE BOWEN) is the beautiful undiscovered songwriter; Avery Barkley (Jonathan Jackson) is a young misguided musician; and Gunnar Scott (Sam Palladio) is an up and comer on a collision course with Scarlett.

In the premiere episode of NASHVILLE, Rayna learns that her record label wants her to tour as the opening act for newcomer Juliette Barnes, and when she refuses, the stage is set for the ultimate power struggle for popularity. Complicating matters, Lamar's drive for power results in backing Teddy in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna's wishes.

"Nashville" stars Connie Britton ("Friday Night Lights," "American Horror Story") as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere ("Heroes") as Juliette Barnes, CLARE BOWEN as Scarlett O'Connor, ERIC CLOSE ("Chaos," "Without a Trace") as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten ("Enlightened," "Big Love") as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson ("General Hospital") as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Robert Ray Wisdom as Coleman Carlisle and Powers Boothe ("24") as Lamar Wyatt,.

Guest starring in "Pilot" are Judith Hoag as Tandy Wyatt, JD Souther as Watty White and Burgess Jenkins as RAndy Roberts. Co-stars include Lennon Stella as Maddie, Maisy Stella as Daphne, David Alford as Bucky Dawes, Ed Amatrudo as Glenn Goodman, Todd Truly as Marshall Evans and Sylvia Jeffries as Juliette's Mother.

Executive producers of "Pilot" are R.J. Cutler ("The September Issue," "The War Room"), CALLIE KHOURI ("Thelma & Louise"), who is also creator, and Steve Buchanan. T Bone Burnett is the executive music producer. "Pilot" was written by CALLIE KHOURI and directed by R.J. Cutler. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.

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