'Nashville' Season 5 to premiere in 2017

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Nashville will return to television in early 2017.

CMT announced in a press release Wednesday that the series will kick off Season 5 with a two-hour premiere Jan. 5. The network picked up the musical drama in June following its cancellation at ABC.

"We now have a clear path in attracting new audiences with our scripted programming," CMT head of development Jayson Dinsmore said. "Beginning with Nashville ... each series will help launch the next; creating an overlay to cycle viewers through our originals year round."

Thirtysomething creators Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are overseeing the series, although it is unknown which stars will return. News outlets reported in June that Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere will likely reprise the roles of Rayna James and Juliette Barnes.

Panettiere had announced her return to rehab for postpartum depression in May the same day of Nashville's cancellation. The actress had previously left the show in Season 4 to seek treatment.

"The postpartum depression I have been experiencing has impacted every aspect of my life," she said at the time. "Rather than stay stuck due to unhealthy coping mechanisms I have chosen to take time to reflect holistically on my health and my life."

Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Clare Bowen, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella and Chris Carmack are also expected to return. Will Chase and Aubrey Peebles, however, will only possibly appear in "a few select episodes."