"Revenge" was once one of TV critics' and audiences' favorite guilty pleasures. But Season 2 of the ABC primetime soap took a turn -- as did the ratings, in the southern direction -- and the network's president Paul Lee admits the show had some problems.
Lee said he wanted to give "Revenge" creator and former showrunner Mike Kelley and pilot director Philip Noyce "credit" for what they did for the show, noting "it was fabulous."
But, Lee added, "I think we stumbled a little bit in the second season, but Mike is one of the great showrunners. What Sunil Nayar [who replaces Kelley as 'Revenge's' showrunner for Season 3] is bringing to us is a slightly less complicated and a really interesting take. The first episode back -- I don't know how much we can reveal; we're not allowed to reveal anything -- is a fantastic episode starting with a magnificent hook. I do think you are going to see that one enjoying itself in its third season -- and we certainly are."
Lee shared a similar sentiment about "Nashville," noting the soap will be amped up for its sophomore season. "I think they said to themselves they want to turn cards over more aggressively as they move through it," Lee explained. "You're starting to see Connie [Britton] really drive plot, which is something I know the showrunners really wanted to do, and you're going to see that next season."
The ABC president also hinted that the rivalry between Hayden Panettiere's character Juliette Barnes and Britton's Rayna Jaymes will be "coming to a head" in Season 2.
"Revenge" Season 3 will premiere on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, while "Nashville" Season 2 will debut on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
