While TV pundits are calling it a toss-up as to whether "Nashville" returns for a third season, there is apparently far less uncertainty about some parts of the Connie Britton-Hayden Panettiere Music City serial.

With the death of Powers Boothe's rich and powerful businessman Lamar Wyatt in February, the show is "pretty much walking away from any family stuff having to do with that part of our lives." That's the word from Judith Hoag, who's known to "Nashville" fans as Lamar's daughter Tandy, the sister of Britton's Rayna James. When the previously battling sisters are seen together lately, they seem to get along just great, causing viewers to wonder when they buried the hatchet.

Certainly, siblings might find a route to forgiveness in the wake of a parent's death. That does happen.

"It does," responds Judith, "but usually on a show, you like to see that moment when it happens. You might either see the denial of what's been going on, or that look of like, 'We're sisters, and no matter what happens, we've got each other's back.' But — it pains me to say it, they're just not invested in that aspect of the story, so they don't really write it."

How are things developing for Tandy?

"They're not, basically," she says. "They really were starting to play with my character for awhile, and it was really, really fun, but I don't think they are going to do that any more. At this moment, I don't see where I'm heading."

The actress notes that while her character is CFO of the family's Highway 65 recording company, "I don't seem to be given any responsibility, nor am I given any interaction except with my sister — though I do have a fun scene coming up with Juliette (Panettiere). So, you know. It is what it is. It would be nice if it continued, but I don't know that that's the plan."

In fact, there's just one more episode of "Nashville" to shoot for this season. Judith, who has been staying home in Los Angeles while her character's been skipped for a couple of weeks, says she's heading back to Tennessee for what might be her final camera calls on the show. Meanwhile, she's looking at other prospects. She's in Jason Bateman's new "Bad Words" feature and would like to do more series work.

"It's been very challenging with my family in Los Angeles and the show shooting in Nashville," admits the actress who rose to fame as April O'Neil in the first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie — and has played in dozens of television shows and features including "Big Love" and the Disney Channel "Halloweentown" movies.

"Being away is a huge sacrifice when you have children at home. But I love my job and I'm grateful. At the beginning, they weren't really writing for my character and I thought, 'OK, just do your best work.' I think because I invested so much in it, they did start writing more for her — so I look at that as a victory."

As far as the future of "Nashville," she notes, "I think everyone on the show would like to go forward with it. I think Nashville loves hosting the show — people there have been just awesome. I hope it does go on, but ABC is keeping things close to the vest so I don't think anyone knows. I suppose it depends on what shows they have coming up.

"Who knows? There may be more up ahead," she says. But either way, "It's a great run."