‘Nashville’ Actor Will Not Return for Season 4

ABC's Nashville will lose a character for the next season. Don't worry, it's not Charles Esten.

Remember when the show's character Teddy Conrad (played by Eric Close) got taken away in handcuffs at the end of the third season? That's the last time that viewers will see him as a regular character.

Since the show's first season, Close has been part of the show's storyline: He was married to Rayna Jaymes (played by Connie Britton), though they divorced in subsequent seasons. However, he was still involved in the plot because his character ran for mayor (and won) and was involved in several scandals, which led to his arrest at the end of Season 3. He was arrested for embezzling official funds to pay off a high-priced escort.

Though ABC declined to comment, TV Line says that Close’s status change may be part of a larger creative effort to place the focus of the show squarely on the music business. However, the character and Jaymes have two children together, so this may not be the last fans see of him.

In the meantime, the actor will play the role of lawyer Travis Tanner in Suits for one episode in the USA drama's upcoming fifth season. Previously, he played FBI agent Martin Fitzgerald in Without a Trace, and he's had many other film and television roles.

Nashville was recently renewed for its fourth season. The third season wrapped up May 13.