Fans who miss seeing the ambitious and determined singer Juliette Barnes will no longer have to wait much longer as the country star will return in "Nashville" season 4.
Hayden Panettiere, who portrays the role of Juliette in the series, will reportedly to work on the set of "Nashville" season 4, a source told TV Line.
The actress filed for a medical leave from the show to undergo treatment for postpartum depression in October. She was last seen in the eighth episode of season 4 titled "Unguarded Moments." But sources revealed that she already returned to work for the 14<sup>th episode of the season on Friday.
Both Panettiere and Juliette suffered post-partum depression after giving birth to their respective first daughters. They both entered the rehab to seek professional help for their condition.
Series showrunner Dee Johnson addressed Panettiere's decision to excuse herself from the country musical series during an earlier interview with Deadline.
She admitted that they had to adjust the show's storyline to be able to proceed with the plot even without Panettiere on the set. "We've had to make adjustments, but it's not uncommon for shows to have to make such accommodations when real life intervenes," the series showrunner said.
According to Johnson, the actress was expected to return in the latter parts of season 4.
But Juliette's return does not mean that she and Avery (Jonathan Jackson) will automatically get back together.
Meanwhile, the head of ABC's entertainment division Paul Lee revealed their long-term plans for the musical series during the Television Critics Association press tour held recently, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. "We don't have any plans to finish Nashville," Lee stated. "We have an incredibly passionate audience."
"Nashville" season 4 returns on ABC on March 16.
