'Nashville' Season 4: Hayden Panettiere to Return to Show after Postpartum Depression Treatment
"Nashville" season 4 fans will see Hayden Panettiere once again on the show when it comes back for its midseason premiere a couple of months from now.
In October 2015, Hayden Panettiere took a leave from the series when she was diagnosed with postpartum depression. After undergoing treatment at a facility, the actress finally returned to the set of "Nashville" season 4 on Jan. 8 and will appear on episode 14 in April, according to Crossmap.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter (THR) in an interview, "Nashville" showrunner Dee Johnson confirmed Panettiere's return to the show. While the actress was still undergoing treatment, her character Juliette Barnes has always been mentioned in the series.
"She'll have been off the radar for a bit but I think when she does come back, she's going to come back strong and repaired as much as one can repair," Johnson told THR. "We'll try to find where she fits into the landscape. She is indomitable."
During the recent Critics' Choice Awards, Panettiere shared to how she is doing after she voluntarily checked into a rehab center last year. The 26-year-old mother said she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders because she now no longer needs to hide behind a happy mask for fear of what other people will say about her, Headlines & Global News reports.
Panettiere hopes that her revelation about her battle against postpartum depression will help remove the stigma attached with the illness. The actress also hopes that her move will help improve other people's lives and understanding of the condition.
Meanwhile, there are fans who hope that Juliette and Avery will be reconciled after Panettiere's comeback. Sad to say, they will be disappointed because Juliette might not want Avery to be part of her life once again even though she has allowed the former to see her daughter Cadence, the report details.
Another event to look forward to when "Nashville" comes back from its hiatus is Rayna and Deacon's wedding.
"Nashville" season 4 will come back on Mar. 16 on ABC.
