The 52-year-old actor breaks down Thursday's unexpected cameo ('I was hoping and praying' it would happen). Plus, the actor behind the special appearance reacts!

It's the final countdown.

Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten and the rest of the ensemble of the CMT drama reflect on their time on the country music drama.

ET exclusively debuts a sneak peek from Thursday's episode.

Only ET was invited to the set for a behind-the-scenes look at the show's final season, premiering Jan. 4.

The man behind Deacon Claybourne reveals what it was really like without Connie Britton on set and how his character will survive without Rayna Jaymes in the CMT drama's upcoming sixth season.

Though his daughter has been in remission for over a decade, her experience with childhood leukemia has kept the 52-year-old actor working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and bringing his country music friends aboard to fight cancer.