CMT's "Nashville" has just signed its first transgender cast member. Jen Richards, who appeared regularly in "I Am Cait," has been booked for a recurring role in "Nashville" Season 5.
Jen Richards is going to play Allyson Del Lago, a physical therapist who will help one of the main "Nashville" characters overcome a challenging phase of his/her life, according to Deadline. Jen Richards is also a writer and a producer. Her digital series "Her Story" recently received an Emmy nomination. She is also known for "Beautiful As I Want To Be" on Logo and "True Trans with Laura Jane Grace" on AOL, and is set to appear in "Doubt" on CBS.
Richards is joining the recently added cast member, Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens, who has also landed a recurring role. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the founder of Carolina Chocolate Drops will play as a young social worker named Hanna Lee "Hallie" Jordan who has a voice of an angel. The report has confirmed that Giddens is already set for three episodes, with a possibility of being in more episodes. Her debut will be on the premiere episode of "Nashville" Season 5.
Jen Richards and Rhiannon Giddens join returning cast members Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Clare Bowen, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella and Chris Carmack. However, as Parent Herald earlier learned, Connie Britton who plays Rayna James has only signed on for 10 episodes out of the 22 episodes ordered for "Nashville" Season 5.
CMT, along with Hulu, picked up the country music drama after it was dropped by ABC in June. "Nashville" is created by Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, and executive produced by Herskovitz, Zwick, Steve Buchanan, Callie Khouri, Jayson Dinsmore and Morgan Selzer.
"Nashville" Season 5 will debut on Jan. 5, 2017, on CMT.
