From Music City To Hollywood And Politics: Where Are The Actors On Nashville Now In 2025?
The lights of the Grand Ole Opry may have dimmed on the fictional lives of Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, but the careers of the Nashville actors have never been brighter. Since the series finale, the core cast has scattered across the entertainment landscape, with many leaning into their music careers, starring in major film and TV projects, and in one shocking case, even entering the world of politics.
This deep dive into the Nashville cast’s current projects and latest updates for late 2025 and early 2026 reveals a group of performers who have successfully transitioned from country music stars to major Hollywood players, proving their talent extends far beyond Music City’s brightest stage.
The Main Cast: Complete Biography and Latest 2025/2026 Career Updates
The original ensemble cast of Nashville, which ran from 2012 to 2018, has seen a remarkable evolution in their professional lives. Here is a look at the core actors, their pivotal roles, and their most significant recent projects.
- Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes)
- Born: March 6, 1967 (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Role on Nashville: Rayna Jaymes, the legendary country music superstar.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Starring in the upcoming Netflix limited series Zero Day (2025) and leading the Hallmark+ series The Motherhood (2025). She is also set to star in and executive produce the Hulu comedy pilot Phony.
- Hayden Panettiere (Juliette Barnes)
- Born: August 21, 1989 (Palisades, New York)
- Role on Nashville: Juliette Barnes, the troubled but immensely talented rising country-pop star.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Set to star in the 2025 film A Breed Apart and is also attached to a "Top-Secret Creative Project" slated for the same year.
- Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne)
- Born: September 9, 1965 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- Role on Nashville: Deacon Claybourne, a gifted songwriter, guitarist, and Rayna's soulmate.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Continues his role as Ward Cameron on Netflix’s hit series Outer Banks. He is heavily focused on his music career, following the release of his debut album Love Ain't Pretty, and is part of the "Nashville Encore 2026" reunion tour.
- Clare Bowen (Scarlett O'Connor)
- Born: May 12, 1984 (South Coast, Australia)
- Role on Nashville: Scarlett O'Connor, a shy, poetic songwriter and singer.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Actively performing and recording as one half of the musical duo BOWEN * YOUNG with her husband. She is also confirmed to join the "Nashville Encore 2026" reunion tour.
- Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott)
- Born: November 21, 1986 (Pembury, Kent, England)
- Role on Nashville: Gunnar Scott, a charming, ambitious singer-songwriter.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Released his debut album The Perfect Summer's Day, Before We Lost The Light in late 2024 and is touring the UK in early 2025. He also starred in the AMC series The Couple Next Door.
- Chris Carmack (Will Lexington)
- Born: December 22, 1980 (Washington, D.C.)
- Role on Nashville: Will Lexington, a country music singer grappling with his sexuality.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: Continues his long-running role as Dr. Atticus "Link" Lincoln on the popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy, with the show airing its 22nd season in 2025.
- Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley)
- Born: April 29, 1982 (Orlando, Florida)
- Role on Nashville: Avery Barkley, a musician who evolves from a struggling artist to a successful producer.
- Latest 2025/2026 Projects: In a stunning career pivot, Jackson is currently serving as a U.S. Congressman (Representative from Illinois). He also continues his acting career, winning a Daytime Emmy in 2025 for his role on General Hospital, and is participating in the "Nashville Encore 2026" tour.
The Shocking Career Pivots: From Country Star to Congressman
While many of the Nashville actors continued their dual careers in acting and music, one cast member made a truly unexpected and high-profile jump into public service. This move has made Jonathan Jackson one of the most talked-about former cast members in 2025.
Jackson, who played the dedicated musician Avery Barkley, is now known as Representative Jonathan Jackson, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois.
His political work is current and public, with the Congressman announcing a constitutional amendment in late 2025. This dramatic shift from the dramatic world of country music to the complex landscape of Washington D.C. is arguably the biggest career change for any actor from the series.
Despite his new political responsibilities, Jackson has not entirely abandoned his roots, as he is slated to join his former co-stars on the "Nashville Encore 2026" tour.
The Next Generation: Lennon and Maisy Stella's Major 2025 Breakthroughs
The young actresses who played Rayna Jaymes's daughters, Lennon and Maisy Stella, have fully stepped out of their childhood roles as the Conrad sisters, Maddie and Daphne. Their 2025 career updates show both are establishing themselves as serious artists in their respective fields: music and film.
Lennon Stella: A Solo Music Powerhouse
Lennon Stella (Maddie Conrad) has successfully transitioned into a full-time solo music career, moving away from the "Lennon & Maisy" duo.
In early 2025, she released a new single, "Undercover Cops," solidifying her position as an indie-pop artist. She continues to tour and release new music, leveraging the vocal talent first showcased on the Nashville soundtrack.
Maisy Stella: A 2025 Film Award Winner
Maisy Stella (Daphne Conrad) has made a massive splash in the film world in 2025, proving her acting chops are just as strong as her singing.
She won the Best Breakthrough Performance award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards for her role in the coming-of-age movie My Old Ass.
Even more impressively, Maisy has secured a role in the highly anticipated mystery IMAX thriller, Flowervale Street, where she is set to star alongside major Hollywood names like Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
The Music Lives On: Reunion Tours and Debut Albums
The enduring legacy of Nashville is its music, and many of the actors are keeping the spirit of the show alive through their own musical endeavors and a highly anticipated reunion tour.
The "Nashville Encore 2026" Tour
Following a successful run of sold-out shows, several key cast members announced the "Nashville Encore 2026" tour.
The tour will feature Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio, who will perform beloved songs from the series alongside their own original music. This provides a fresh opportunity for fans to see the actors perform together again, showcasing the musical talent that defined the series.
Sam Palladio's Musical Focus
Sam Palladio's (Gunnar Scott) recent focus has been on his own solo music. The release of his debut album marks a significant milestone, allowing him to step out from behind the character of Gunnar Scott and establish his own voice in the music scene.
The Post-Nashville Hollywood Dominance
Two of the show's biggest stars, Connie Britton and Chris Carmack, have continued their dominance in major network and streaming television, securing roles that keep them highly visible in 2025.
Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes) has a packed schedule, including the highly anticipated political thriller *Zero Day* on Netflix and a new series with Hallmark Media called *The Motherhood*. These high-profile projects ensure she remains one of television's most sought-after leading actresses.
Meanwhile, Chris Carmack (Will Lexington) has found a long-term home in the Shondaland universe, continuing his role on the enduring hit *Grey's Anatomy*. His current tenure on the medical drama is a testament to his versatility, moving seamlessly from a country music singer to a major hospital surgeon.
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