The decision came down to the wire! Nashville's leading ladies Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes are officially coming back for round three. ABC's co-president Ben Sherwood announced that the drama has been renewed for a third season via Twitter late Friday, May 9.
"Congratz and welcome back for Season 3 to @Nashville_ABC @conniebritton @CharlesEsten @CallieKhouri, the whole Nashville team and loyal fans," he tweeted at 11:36 p.m. EST.
Fans of the musical series were on pins and needles awaiting its fate via social media—and so was the cast! "Y'all did it…@Nashville_ABC season 3! Thanks for your amazing support," actress Connie Britton tweeted on Saturday. "@BenSherwoodABC thanks from cast and crew. #Nashville we love u!"
Hayden Panettiere, meanwhile, retweeted a comment by Nashville's creator Callie Khouri. "Huge thanks to all the wonderful #Nashies out there and all who supported a #nashville S3!" she wrote.
Sam Palladio, who plays Gunnar Scott, added: "It lives!!! @Nashville_ABC will get round 3! Thank you to everyone involved who made the magic and music happen!"
Nashville also stars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Eric Close, and Oliver Hudson. Its season three was given a full 22-episode order.