Charles Esten Learned of ‘Nashville’ Fate Shortly Before Fans

Yesterday’s news of ABC’s cancellation of the show Nashville came as a shock to fans, but they weren’t the only ones surprised from the news.

Charles Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on the hit drama, was also kept in the dark about the show’s fate until the show’s creator sent him a message shortly before the news went public.

“I found out yesterday afternoon, right around the time that everybody else did. It sort of broke quickly on social media, but the first way I saw it was from a text from Callie Khouri,” Esten told Sirius XM The Highway’s Storme Warren Friday morning.

“We’ve never been one of those shows where we knew for a fact was picked up, and as I’ve said, I’ve been in this business a long time. I’ve never had a second season, so I was never pessimistic. I was always realistic and every single season was a blessing,” he added. “When it came to this one, I have to admit, especially with the thought that there was going to be a new writing team, there’s some things that made you think that we might have another shot. I was realistic that you never know but I was extremely hopeful and interested to see what that new situation might look like. I was a little caught off guard.”

The show may have ended its time on ABC, but may find life elsewhere. Entertainment Weekly reports that Nashville is being shopped around for a new network by its production company, Lionsgate.

“We’re looking for a new home. We never give up on a great show,” Lionsgate television group chairman Kevin Beggs reportedly wrote in an email to employees.

Until then, fans can watch the final episodes of Nashville on ABC through May 25.