‘Nashville’ Season 3 Spoilers: Broadway Actress Laura Benanti Joins Cast; Stars Tweet About Duets and Man Stealing

Laura Benanti was announced as a new cast member on “Nashville” Season 3, and no one is more excited than Connie Britton. The stars tweeted each other after Deadline posted the announcement.
@LauraBenanti oh thank the lord...I've been dying to say something already! Get yer ass over here girl!!! Honored to have you joining us!
— Connie Britton (@conniebritton) July 30, 2014
@LauraBenanti do you think we'll sing a duet?? Sheesh...now I'm trying to be cool (sweating, literally)
— Connie Britton (@conniebritton) July 30, 2014
@conniebritton I will have to sing my part from a stretcher.
— Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) July 30, 2014
Benanti will play a rising country star called Sadie Stone, and Benanti certainly has the musical chops needed for the show. The Broadway veteran won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Louise in “Gypsy.” She released her own album last year, "In Constant Search of the Right Kind Of Attention."
Country music might be a little different than showtunes, but the actress will be used to all the melodrama. Her character Sadie will become friends with Rayna, but friends aren’t always so friendly on “Nashville.” Writers responded to ideas of a Rayna/Sadie feud with a tweet.
Wouldn't you like to know, Mr. Ausiello ;) RT @MichaelAusiello: NASHVILLE Books Laura Benanti for Season 3 — Will She Clash With Rayna?
— Nashville Writers (@NashvilleWrites) July 30, 2014
It sounds like Rayna might have a new adversary. The protagonist actually needs a new competitor since Juliette is now signed to Rayna's record label. In the finale, Rayna was more motherly toward Juliette than ever before, even holding back the girl’s hair while she threw up and giving her relationship advice. Sadie could easily step into the villainous role Juliette was playing in the beginning of the series. Benanti might not want to cause too much drama, though. The actress is a fan of “Nashville” and made it clear that she doesn’t want to come between Deacon and Rayna.
@chipschicks @Beils33 @NashvilleWrites are you kidding?! I'm the number 1 team #deyna advocate!
— Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) July 31, 2014
Although she might not want to get involved in a love triangle, the writers might need to give Deacon a new love interest if Rayna turns down his marriage proposal. It’s not clear when Benanti will join the country music drama, but she might appear in episode 4. The day before Benanti was announced, “Nashville” writer Debra Fordham tweeted that she had just finished the script for Season 3 episode 4, titled “I Feel Sorry For Me,” and she tweeted Benanti the next day.
Ladies and gentleman, may I present, Episode 304... pic.twitter.com/XYebIHg9qb
— Debra Fordham (@DebraFordham) July 29, 2014
@DebraFordham @NashvilleWrites less!! I'm so excited to meet you! Xo
— Laura Benanti (@LauraBenanti) July 31, 2014
Titles for episode 1 and episode 2 were also released. The premiere will be called “That’s Me Without You,” and the following episode will be called “How Far Down Can I Go.” Based on those titles, it looks like Rayna isn’t going to accept Deacon’s marriage proposal, and he probably won’t take that news well. Granted, it could also be referring to Juliette who probably won’t take her breakup and possible pregnancy well.
Audiences will have to wait to find out what’s happening until the live premiere of “Nashville” Season 3 on Sept. 24 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC. What do you hope to see Sadie Stone do in the new season? Sound off in the comments section below.
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