On ABC's Nashville, Rayna Jaymes' ex-husband Teddy Conrad may be the mayor of Music City, but he's had a minor presence in the central storylines during the first half of the show's third season.
While the character is still a part of Rayna (Connie Britton) and his daughters' lives, Teddy (Eric Close) spent most of his screen time in this season's first 10 episodes hanging out with slimy record-label head Jeff Fordham (Oliver Hudson) and attempting to have a real relationship with a prostitute that Jeff introduced him to.
But that all may change, as Close tells The Hollywood Reporter that his character will be pulled back to the main action of the show in the second half of the season.
Read more 'Nashville' Showrunner on Deacon's Devastating News, Layla's Future, Season 4
"There's much more involvement because some things start to happen with Teddy and some of the choices he's making that draw Rayna and the girls back in,” Close told THR at the New York premiere of Clint Eastwood’s new movie American Sniper, in which he has a small but significant role. “It always seems to happen that their lives are so intertwined.”
Part of that storyline could involve Rayna and Deacon's (Charles Esten) daughter, Maddie (Lennon Stella), whom Teddy raised as his own. Jeff — one of Rayna's biggest Highway 65 rivals — has expressed an interest in signing young Maddie, though it's unclear if his interest in her is based purely on her abilities or if he sees her more as a bargaining chip of sorts.
“It's an interesting character because since Teddy doesn't sing and he's in the political world being the mayor of Nashville, he's not as involved with the music side of it,” said Close, whose Teddy could find himself deeply involved in the family biz if he signs Maddie with Jeff's label. “But I think there are some things happening with the character that will start pulling him more into that world of music, so it'll be very interesting."
Nashville returns on Feb. 4 on ABC.
