A producer on the show Nashville ha said gay character Will Lexington “won’t be defined by his sexuality”.

The gay male character who is not out at first, and later campaigned for gay rights, has a “great story line” coming up, says executive producer Marshall Herskovitz.

The producer said Will will feature first and foremost as a human character in the series.

He says: “We’re very sensitive to the fact that Will is a human being first, a musician second. He’s not defined by his sexuality, just like no one else is defined by their sexuality.”

Chris Carmack who plays Will, has been featured for a short time on the series, but the character has sometimes been criticised as one-dimensional.

But Herskovitz said of Carmack: “I find him to be an amazing performer, a wonderful actor, and we’re trying to serve his character, that’s all.”

He also added that he thinks previous Will storylines have focussed too heavily on his love life, but Herskovitz says “that’s not the direction we’re going…” in season 5.

A trans actor Jen Richards was earlier this year cast in a recurring role in the country music drama.

Richards, who is also an activist for trans rights, will play the role of Allyson Del Lago.

The physical therapist character will appear in the upcoming fifth season.