‘Nashville’ Stars Mourn Hayden Panettiere Following Her Death at 36

Hayden Panettiere, the actress who rose to fame as cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes” before becoming one of the stars of ABC’s “Nashville,” has died at 36.

Her death prompted an outpouring of grief from her “Nashville” co-stars, including Connie Britton, who played country music star Rayna James opposite Panettiere’s Juliette Barnes.

Britton shared a series of photos from the show on Instagram, remembering Panettiere as a bright and gifted performer.

“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton wrote. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”

Panettiere was cast as Juliette before Britton joined the series. “Nashville,” which premiered in 2012, followed the complicated relationship between established country star Rayna James and young singing sensation Juliette Barnes.

The two characters were forced to work together after Rayna’s record label told her she would have to tour with the younger star or risk losing support for her career. Their rivalry eventually developed into one of the central relationships of the series.

The chemistry between Britton and Panettiere became a major part of the show’s appeal. “Nashville” ran for four seasons on ABC before moving to CMT, where it continued for another two seasons.

As the series progressed, Juliette faced increasingly difficult storylines involving alcoholism, drug addiction and postpartum depression. Those plots closely reflected some of Panettiere’s own struggles, making the work especially difficult for the actress.

Panettiere later said that portraying those experiences could be traumatizing. She also spoke openly about her difficult time working on “Nashville,” saying she felt that some people involved with the production failed to support or protect her during her struggles.

Still, Panettiere consistently spoke warmly about Britton. She described her co-star as “amazing,” “so supportive” and “just a class act.”

“Just being able to be on screen with her, I was honored,” Panettiere told Entertainment Weekly last year.

Britton’s tribute featured a photo of the two actresses together on stage during one of their final performances on the show, highlighting the professional and personal bond they shared.

Another “Nashville” co-star, Charles Esten, also remembered Panettiere. He recalled meeting her during the audition for the pilot and praised both her talent and the warmth she brought to her work.

“She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette,” Esten wrote.

“What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend.”

Lionsgate, which co-produced “Nashville” with ABC Studios, also released a statement mourning the actress.

“Lionsgate and the entire Nashville family mourn the tragic passing of Hayden Panettiere, a singular talent who brought so much life, radiance and conviction to the role of Juliette Barnes,” the studio said.

The company praised her “unflinching and nuanced portrayal” of Juliette, saying the character captivated millions of viewers around the world.

“She has left us far too young,” Lionsgate said, “but we are richer for the gifts she shared with us in the many film and television roles she inhabited with so much grace and vitality.”

For viewers of “Nashville,” Panettiere’s Juliette Barnes remains one of the series’ defining characters — a gifted young singer whose struggles, ambition and vulnerability gave the show much of its emotional weight.