Hayden Panettiere Felt Strange About Connie Britton's Role on 'Nashville'

Hayden Panettiere has discussed her working relationship with Connie Britton on the TV series Nashville. In her memoir, Panettiere notes concerns about their characters' rivalry affecting their dynamic.

Nashville Memories

In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, released May 19, Panettiere reflects on her character Juliette Barnes and how the unexpected rise in prominence compared to Britton's character Rayna James made her uncomfortable. Hayden Panettiere and Connie Britton starred in the drama since its ABC debut in 2012.

Behind the Scenes Tensions

Panettiere recalls feeling uneasy as her role gained importance, approaching Britton's leading position on the show. She wanted to avoid perceived competition with Britton, who had more experience and accolades at that point in their careers.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Panettiere admitted to apologizing frequently to Britton early on during filming for fear of overstepping boundaries.

Mutual Respect and a New Perspective

The memoir also mentions specific actions Panettiere took, such as consciously positioning herself during scenes to show deference to Britton. She expresses hope that this approach conveyed her respect and avoided any unintended rivalry off-screen.

The book addresses other personal matters including past relationships and issues of domestic violence, shedding light on several aspects of Panettiere's life beyond her career.