Heroes star Hayden Panettiere revealed in her Memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning that her on-set experience with Nashville co-star Connie Britton was “uncomfortable”.
The actress told Page Six that the nature of her role as Britton’s rival made things complex, and she found herself constantly apologizing to the double- Emmy winner.
Hayden Panettiere gets real about the awkward dynamic she had with Nashville co-star Connie Britton
Panettiere played Juliette Barnes, a country singer, and Britton played her rival, James. Panettiere claims that her character was not meant to be the star of the show, adding, “That honor went to Connie, whose Rayna Jaymes was in the twilight of her career, facing a dramatic turning point thanks to yours truly.”
However, as it turned out, Panettiere’s character amassed huge billings after the pilot was released in 2012. She said, “I went from maybe number five in terms of importance to nipping at Connie’s heels.” This is when the equation became complex, and Panettiere, then 23, came out to assure Britton, then in her 40s, that she did not want to step on her toes.
Panettiere’s memoir reflects on the uneasy episode of her life, when she developed some anxiety of having to play difficult scenes that openly opposed her co-star. As she explained, “Because that was our first experience together, and I didn’t want to step on toes. Sometimes it gets real, very real, you know?’”
She also revealed the little things she did to avoid giving Britton the impression that she was, in any way, trying to compete with her. She explained, “We were directed to saunter toward the mic stand and—at the same time—reach to grab it. This would insinuate our characters’ rivalry…I always made sure to grab the mic under Connie’s hand, showing her I came in peace and with respect. I don’t know if she noticed, but I did.”
She clarified, saying that Britton was “amazing” and “so supportive”, concluding that the circumstances were challenging in themselves.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THEIR RIVALRY IN THE SHOW?
