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Nashville Shocker: [Spoiler Alert] Is Getting Killed Off

Exclusive! See what "housecleaning" is in store before the freshman drama finishes its first season

By Kristin Dos Santos May 07, 2013 2:30 PMTags
NASHVILLEABC/CHRIS HOLLO

File this one under: Headlines we never thought we'd write!

Sources tell E! News that ABC's delicious (but normally not deadly) drama series Nashville (starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panetierre) will be doing a bit of housecleaning among the cast before the first season closes out—with a shocking storyline viewers wouldn't expect.

According to insiders, there will be two character deaths in Nashville's gripping final episode, slated for May 22. (Nashville airs Wednesday nights.) And the DOA actors won't be coming back on the show...assuming it returns in the fall.

Nashville has yet to receive a second-season pickup by ABC, but ABC insiders tell us it's "looking good" for another year. ABC will announce its entire 2013-14 lineup on May 14 at the New York upfronts, where the fates of Happy Endings (not likely to return but likely to move networks) and Revenge (likely to return) also will be decided. (As previously reported, Revenge also has a major death coming in the season finale.)

Nashville sources also tell us the season finale was not shot as a series finale, but rather sets up some seriously dramatic storylines for season two.

ABC also announced today that Brad Paisley will appear as himself in the season finale, performing opposite Rayna (Britton) and Deacon (Charles Esten).

So...whip out those dollar bills (for betting, thankyouverymuch) and tell us: Who will die? Which characters are most likely to be goners?

And P.S., if you guess Connie or Hayden, we'll be forced to publicly ridicule you. (Don't make us do it!) We can assure you that the two leading ladies, without whom the show couldn't exist, are safe.