<P> The series was created by Callie Khouri, who won an Academy Award for Thelma & Louise . Khouri lived in Nashville from 1978 to 1982 . In an interview for The New York Times she said "This is a place that can be mocked and made fun of, and sometimes it deserves it, like any place . But it also is an incredibly beautiful, cosmopolitan city, and I wanted to show that to the world . I want to represent it in a way that everybody who lives here would find completely realistic ." Nashville was the first television series in Khouri's career, after working for two decades as a film writer and director creating strong female characters . </P> <P> The production began in 2011 . In October 2011, ABC bought the original concept from Khouri . Documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler also joined the project as executive producer alongside Khouri . Nashville was produced by Lionsgate Television with ABC Studios . ABC ordered the pilot on January 27, 2012 . The pilot episode was filmed in March 2012 and directed by series producer R.J. Cutler . The series was picked up by ABC on May 11, 2012, and premiered on the network on October 10, 2012 as part of its 2012--13 television season . Dee Johnson joined the series as executive producer and showrunner as of fourth episode, replacing Jim Parriott . On November 12, 2012, the series was picked up for a full season run, which was shortened by one episode by the producers (due to production difficulties) rather than the network . </P> <P> A number of television critics characterized Nashville as "Dallas in Tennessee ." The original concept was focused on the backdrop of the real country music world . ABC's promotional campaign for the series premiere was primarily focused on the rivalry between a young and ruthless country pop diva (Panettiere) and a past - her - peak superstar (Britton). Nashville was filmed on location and on soundstages in Nashville . The Bluebird Cafe, an important local performance arena, is a frequent setting; the show's art department, headed by production designer Jeff Knipp, precisely replicated its exterior and interior in a Nashville sound stage . After weeks of rumors that production would move elsewhere, it was announced that season two would also be filmed on location in Nashville . Nashville budget hovered in the neighborhood of $4 million per episode in season one . </P> <P> British actor Sam Palladio was the first regular member to be cast, being announced on February 14, 2012 . Australian actress and singer Clare Bowen was the next addition to the pilot, as Scarlett O'Connor, on February 17, 2012 . On February 22, General Hospital cast member Jonathan Jackson joined the cast in the role of Avery Barkley . On February 23, Emmy Award winner Powers Boothe joined the cast as Lamar Wyatt, father of lead character . On February 29, it was announced that Hayden Panettiere had landed the role of Juliette Barnes, originally planned as the primary antagonist of the series . On March 1, 2012 Robert Wisdom was cast as Coleman Carlisle, one of the supporting regular characters . On March 5 Eric Close joined the ensemble cast as Teddy Conrad, Rayna's husband . On March 6, it was announced that Connie Britton would play leading role of Rayna Jaymes, 40 - year - old fading country superstar . Britton also serves as an co-executive producer of the series . On March 13, 2012, Charles Esten joined the cast in the final regular role of Deacon Claybourne, Rayna's bandmate and former lover . </P>

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