ABC has announced that they have picked up a pilot for a new drama series called ‘Nashville’.  The show, which is a family soap set in the music industry, will tape in Nashville, Tennessee and will star Hayden Panettiere (Heros) and Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights.)

 

Panettiere will play breakout musical sensation Juliette Barnes and Britton takes on the role of Rayna, the 40-year-old superstar mother of two, who has been forced to tour with the up-and-comer.

Previously announced cast members include Eric Close (‘Without a Trace’) as Rayna’s loyal husband, along with Powers Boothe (’24′), Sam Palladio (‘The Hour’), Clare Bowen (‘Home and Away’), Jonathan Jackson (‘General Hospital’) and Robert Wisdom (‘The Wire’).

 

Oscar winner Callie Khouri, who won for writing ‘Thelma & Louise,’ has partnered with R.J. Cutler to write and executive produce ‘Nashville.’ Cutler will direct the show’s pilot, which Deadline.com describes as “about love, country music, family, politics and sex.”