Broadway star and "Smash" alum Will Chase will be moving from 42nd Street to the streets of "Nashville." Chase has been cast as one of Rayna's (Connie Britton) love interest in the second season of ABC drama "Nashville."
"Nashville" showrunner Dee Johnson previously hinted to TVLine that "Rayna does get involved with... a musical star of equal or greater stature, which proves interesting."
Chase will be portraying Luke, a country music mega-star who will pique Rayna's interest, TVLine confirmed.
The Tony nominee is known for portraying Broadway vet Michael Swift on the recently canceled musical-drama "Smash." Swift came aboard the fictional Broadway musical "Bombshell," a musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe, to play Marilyn's second husband, Joe DiMaggio. While working on the musical, Swift engaged in an affair with lyricist Julia (Debra Messing). Chase was a regular from season one who did not return for the show's second and final season.
Most recently, Chase was going to star in a production of the musical adaptation of "Little Miss Sunshine." He left the off-Broadway musical to take the "Nashville" role.
Chase is also known for portraying Pat Mahoney on "Rescue Me." He has also appeared on "The Good Wife," "Necessary Roughness" and "White Collar."
However, it is not clear how long Chase will be romancing Rayna, because a suave businessman portrayed by Oliver Hudson will become romantically involved with Rayna as well.
E! Online reported that one romance will be getting more serious next season. It is confirmed that one couple will be getting engaged, and that it will definitely not be Juliette (Hayden Panettiere), who had a short-lived marriage in season one.
Yet, Juliette will be getting a new love interest. TVLine reports that Charlie Bewley of "Twilight" and "The Vampire Diaries" will play Trey, a charming businessman who woos Juliette. Bewley will debut in the third episode of the upcoming season.
Chris Carmack, who plays Will, Scarlett (Clare Bowen) and Gunnar's (Sam Palladio) neighbor, is another permanent addition to the cast. Will's character will continue to struggle as a secretly gay man in the country music industry.
Last season also focused on the feud between country music divas Rayna and Juliette. ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee told Wetpaint that the rivalry will drive the second season. "That particular rivalry with Connie and Hayden['s characters] is coming to a head," Paul revealed.
Th second season of "Nashville" will premiere on September 25 on ABC.