‘Nashville’ Star Charles Esten Reacts To Season 6 Renewal

The show must go on, even without Rayna Jaymes. “Nashville” has been renewed for Season 6. The news was announced Monday.

Charles Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on the drama, went straight to Facebook after hearing the Season 6 announcement. In a live video, he and Juliette actress Hayden Panettiere revealed the good news to the crew of the CMT drama. The renewal news was met with a big round of applause.

“We’re so grateful to everybody that made this happen, especially you Nashies. Thank you CMT, thanks everybody,” the actor said.

In the video, which was filmed on the set of “Nashville,” Esten emphasized his appreciation. “We’re very grateful to keep making these shows for you,” he said. Panettiere echoed his sentiments with an enthusiastic “woo-hoo!”

READ: “Nashville” Stars Pen Heartfelt Notes To Connie Britton

“Nashville” fans were worried about the drama after Rayna (Connie Britton) was killed off. Britton decided to move on to other projects. She has two movies coming up, “The Land of Steady Habits” and “Beatrice at Dinner.” As previously reported, the actress is still residing in Nashville while she takes some time off, and she’ll stay there through the end of her son’s school year.

There is still plenty of drama without the queen of country. When the show returns, there will be a three-month time jump, but no one in Music City will forget Rayna. “We’ll come back and it will be three months later and people are trying to move on with their lives,” showrunner Mashall Herskovitz revealed to Entertainment Weekly. “There’s a balance struck between the new stories, some new people that come into [the characters’] lives, and the fact that they’re still dealing with this incredible loss.”

Jeffrey Nordling, who “Big Little Lies” fans will remember as Renata’s husband Gordon, will join the cast in the latter half of this season, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Chris Carmack will also be reunited with his former “The O.C.” co-star Rachel Bilson, and “Empire” star Kaitlin Doubleday is being added as well.

“Nashville” Season 5 returns Thursday, June 1 at 9 p.m. EST on CMT.