Nashville: Luke Wheeler Is Back in Season 5!

Luke who it is!
Nashville fans are buzzing over a behind-the-scenes photo tweeted by Chris Carmack Sunday, showing him side by side with former series regular Will Chase, whose character Luke Wheeler got left at the altar by Connie Britton's Rayna Jaymes. The photo was captioned, "It's always a good day opening up for Luke Wheeler!"

Chase, along with Audrey Peeples, left Nashville as a series regular in June. But apparently the show's country music superstar and spurned love interest will return to the drama in Season 5, which premieres Thursday, Jan. 5 at its new home on CMT. Since Chase is currently a series regular on ABC's Time After Time, Luke probably won't get an extended storyline, but if Carmack's Will is opening for him, we can cross our fingers for a musical performance.

Two Nashville stars are leaving the show

Series regulars Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson will all be making the leap from network to cable in Season 5, but Britton will be in only 10 of the upcoming 22 episodes. It's unclear if Britton plans on exiting the show, but if she is leaving, will her exit be connected to Luke's appearance? We can only speculate.
Chase tweeted back Sunday: "Felt good to put the boots back on and always great to see YOU brother!" so we know this much: Luke will be wearing boots! Of course, this being Nashville, that was probably a given.

Season 5 of Nashville premieres Thursday, Jan. 5 at 9/8c on CMT.