Hayden Panettiere dishes about her time on the series in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”

Where is the cast of Nashville now? See the country music drama’s stars, then and now

Hayden Panettiere dishes about her time on the series in her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

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May 20, 2026 3:44 p.m. ET

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The cast of 'Nashville'. Credit:

ABC/BOB D'AMICO

- *Nashville *aired for six seasons on ABC from October 2012 to July 2018.

- Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere starred as a country music icon and a rising star at odds with one another.

- The harmonious ensemble also included Charles Esten, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Chris Carmack.**

The dulcet voices of *Nashville* continue to echo more than a decade out from its ABC premiere in October 2012. That's especially true now, as star Hayden Panettiere is dishing about her time on the series (and in Hollywood) in her memoir, *This Is Me: A Reckoning*.

Created by Oscar winner Callie Khouri, the series tracks the tangled personal and professional lives of fictional country stars navigating fame, rivalries, and the high-stakes world of Music City. At its heart was the tension between legendary performer Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) and newcomer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). As Panettiere revealed in her book, that tension was present off-camera as well.

"Rayna Jaymes had earned her stripes, and Juliette hadn't. That was the way it was supposed to be," she wrote. "Unfortunately, after the pilot, it was clear that my billing had gone way up. I went from maybe number five in terms of importance to nipping at Connie's heels. I was deeply uncomfortable with this development."

She added, "It was difficult to play that sometimes, that competitiveness, where we were in opposition and against each other. And it's not what we thought it was going to be, so it was very difficult to step in."

Below, we're checking in on the cast of *Nashville* and what they've been up to since dropping their mics in 2018.

Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes

Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes on 'Nashville'; Connie Britton at a luncheon to celebrate the new series 'The Motherhood' on May 01, 2025 in New York.

Mark Levine/ABC; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Connie Britton led *Nashville *for its first five seasons as Rayna Jaymes, the queen of country music whose fame is on the decline. Britton left *Nashville* on own terms at the end of season 5, but returned briefly for the show's series finale. She received both an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination for the performance.

Since then, the *Friday Night Lights* favorite has remained a familiar face on screens big and small. You might also recognize her from films such as *Bombshell *(2019), *Promising Young Woman *(2021), and *The Life List *(2025).

On TV, her most notable post-*Nashville* credits include *9-1-1*, *Dirty John*, *The White Lotus,* and *Zero Day*. Most recently, she appeared alongside Steve Carell on HBO's *Rooster*.

In 2011, Britton adopted a child from Ethiopia, Yoby, who is now 15.

Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes

Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes on 'Nashville' Hayden Panettiere attends the world premiere of 'Scream VI' at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on March 06, 2023 in New York City.

ABC/KATHERINE BOMBOY-THORNTON; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Hayden Panettiere starred in all six seasons of *Nashville* as bubblegum country-pop singer Juliette Barnes, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

After the series wrapped in 2018, Panettiere took a four-year break from acting. She returned to the screen in *Scream VI *(2023), reprising her *Scream 4* hero Kirby Reed, and has since appeared in the films *Amber Alert *(2024), *A Breed Apart *(2025), and *Sleepwalker* (2026), the latter which she also executive produced.

In May 2026, Panettiere released *This Is Me: A Reckoning*, in which she discusses her complex dynamic with Britton on *Nashville*, a 2014 childbirth scare, struggles with addiction, and several uncomfortable encounters she had as a young actress in Hollywood.

She has a daughter, 11-year-old Kaya, with her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. In her book, she revealed that now identifies as bisexual.

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Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne

Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne on 'Nashville'; Charles Esten attends Spotlight: Charles Esten at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on March 6, 2024 in Los Angeles.

ABC/Mark Levine; Rebecca Sapp/Getty

Charles Esten's role as *Nashville *fan favorite Deacon Claybourne kicked off his real-life music career. After dropping several singles that climbed *Billboard*'s Hot Country Songs chart, Esten released his debut album, *Love Ain't Pretty*, on Jan. 26, 2024. Now, he tours globally, with frequent performances at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry.

In 2026, he joined Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio for the *Nashville *Encore Tour, bringing the music of the series back to the stage.

Esten has focused more on music than acting in recent years, but you may have seen him on the Netflix teen drama *Outer Banks* or in the thriller *Tell Me Your Secrets*. Next up, he'll appear in the Western film *Flint *alongside Josh Holloway.

Reflecting on his time on the series, Esten told GRAMMY.com in 2024 that "the feeling [of landing *Nashville*] was one of — it'll make me emotional — completion. I felt like the show was an answer to so many unsolved things in my life."

Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor

Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor on 'Nashville'; Clare Bowen attends a special screening of 'A Holiday Spectacular' at Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 20, 2022 in New York City.

ABC/Mark Levine; Mike Coppola/Getty

Clare Bowen rose to fame as singer and poet Scarlett O'Connor on *Nashville*, and has since appeared in the Hallmark TV movies *Sand Dollar Cove* (2021) and *#Xmas *(2022), as well as the Australian horror series *Hungry Ghosts* (2020).

Bowen has focused primarily on music in recent years, releasing her self-titled debut album in 2018. In 2024, she dropped a joint album with her husband, Brandon Robert Young. She reunited with Esten, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio for the *Nashville *Encore Tour in 2026.

Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott

Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott on 'Nashville'; Sam Palladio attends the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on May 11, 2025 in London.

ABC/Bob D'Amico; Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

Sam Palladio was a core part of *Nashville*, winning fans over with his performance as lovelorn country singer Gunnar Scott for all six seasons.

Since the series wrapped, Palladio has gained wider recognition for his turn as Prince Edward opposite Vanessa Hudgens in Netflix's *The Princess Switch* trilogy (2018–2021). He also landed gigs on ABC's short-lived legal series *Rebel* and the British psychological thriller *The Couple Next Door*.

Palladio recently hit the road with the *Nashville *Encore Tour alongside Esten, Bowen, and Jackson.

Palladio recently credited *Nashville *as a career-defining experience that perfectly blended his passions for acting and music. "*Nashville* was the perfect hybrid," he told *Songwriting* *Magazine* in 2024. "I could not get a better acting/music job."

Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley

Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley on 'Nashville'; Jonathan Jackson attends the premiere of 'Unsung Hero' on April 15, 2024 in Nashville.

KATHERINE BOMBOY-THORNTON/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Danielle Del Valle/Getty

Former child actor Jonathan Jackson played Avery Barkley, the "bad boy" musician who had a rocky romance with Juliette. By the series finale, the two had reconciled and were raising their two kids together.

Jackson went on to star as the title figure in *Saint Joseph the Hesychast *(2020) and portray Christian musician Eddie DeGarmo in *Unsung Hero *(2024). He also earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2025 for reprising his role of Lucky Spencer, a character he originated in 1993 on *General Hospital*.

Over the past year, Jackson released both a book of "mystical poetry," *Anthology of Longing*, and a solo album titled *Under the Skies of Babylon: Volume One. *He also hit the road with Bowen, Esten, and Palladio for the *Nashville *Encore Tour.

Chris Carmack as Will Lexington

Chris Carmack as Will Lexington on 'Nashville'; Chris Carmack at the People's Choice Awards on Feb. 18, 2024 in Santa Monica.

Katherine Bomboy-Thornton/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty

Chris Carmack costarred on *Nashville *as Will Lexington, a closeted country star coming to terms with his sexuality.

Carmack was a familiar face on TV before *Nashville*, thanks to his role as Luke Ward on *The O.C.*, and he's kept the momentum going with his performance as Atticus "Link" Lincoln on *Grey's Anatomy, *a role he's held since 2018.

He also appeared in the Hallmark movie *Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas* (2023), and starred opposite fellow early-2000s icon Sophia Bush in *The Stranger In My Home *(2025).

Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad

Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad on 'Nashville'; Lennon Stella at Vanity Fair & Instagram's The 2025 Vanities Party on Feb. 26, 2025 in Los Angeles.

Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Lennon Stella, the eldest daughter of musicians Brad and MaryLynne Stella, rose to fame as Maddie Conrad, Rayna's eldest daughter. *Nashville *marked her acting debut and, along with her band Lennon & Maisy, it helped launch her into the spotlight.

After the show, Lennon pursued a solo music career, releasing an EP in 2018 that gave way to a 2020 LP, *Three. Two. One.*, which charted on the Billboard 200.

She’s collaborated with popular artists like The Chainsmokers, Meghan Trainor, and Brandi Carlile, and contributed to soundtracks for series like *Game of Thrones* and *How I Met Your Father*.

Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad

Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad on 'Nashville'; Maisy Stella attends the 'Poetic License' premiere party during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 06, 2025 in Toronto.

Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Sonia Recchia/Getty

Lennon's sister, Maisy, charmed audiences as Daphne Conrad, the younger daughter of Rayna Jaymes. After *Nashville*, the duo continued performing as Lennon & Maisy before branching off into solo careers.

She's since returned to acting, making her film debut in *My Old Ass* (2024), for which she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. She'll next appear in Maude Apatow's directorial debut, *Poetic License,* as well as David Robert Mitchell's long-anticipated *Flowervale Street*.

In a 2024 interview with *Glamour*, Maisy reflected fondly on the *Nashville*'s impact and the cast. "Everyone from that cast was so great to me and Lennon," she shared. "They were such a big part of our childhood, It's a bond that can't really go anywhere."

Will Chase as Luke Wheeler

Will Chase as Luke Wheeler on 'Nashville'; Will Chase attends the 'Once Upon A Mattress' Broadway opening night at The Hudson Theatre on Aug. 12, 2024 in New York City.

Mark Levine/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; John Nacion/Getty

Will Chase was introduced to *Nashville *in season 2 as Luke Wheeler, a superstar country singer at the peak of his fame. He exited the series after a guest spot in season 5 and has stayed busy on screen with roles on shows like *Sharp Objects*, *Impulse*, *Dopesick*, and *The Crowded Room*.

Beyond television, Chase has returned to his stage roots with roles in the Broadway revivals of *Kiss Me, Kate* (2019) and *Once Upon a Mattress *(2024). He's also stepped behind the camera, helming several short films and documentaries,

Eric Close as Teddy Conrad

Eric Close as Teddy Conrad on 'Nashville'; Eric Close attends the 31st Annual MovieGuide Awards Gala on Feb. 09, 2024 in Los Angeles.

ABC/KATHERINE BOMBOY-THORNTON; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Eric Close portrayed Teddy Conrad, Rayna's ex-husband and the former mayor of Nashville, throughout the entirety of *Nashville*'s six-season run.

After *Nashville*, he found a home at Hallmark, starring in and directing *A Christmas Love Story* (2019) and appearing in *Angel Falls: A Novel Holida*y (2019).

Most recently, Close starred in the biographical drama *Average Joe* (2024) as high school football coach Joe Kennedy, whose habit of praying on the field after games caused a stir in the town of Bremerton, Wash., in the late 2000s.

Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant

Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant on 'Nashville'; Aubrey Peeples attends a special screening of 'Don't Make Me Go' at NeueHouse Los Angeles on July 11, 2022 in Hollywood.

Mark Levine/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Aubrey Peeples made their *Nashville *debut in season 2 as Layla Grant, a fiery reality show runner-up at odds with those around her, including Juliette.

After exiting in season 4, Peeples starred in the psychological thriller *Heartthrob *(2017) and Lifetime's *Death of a Cheerleader* (2019). In 2025, they served as a judge on the drag competition series *King of Drag*.

Where can I watch Nashville?**

All six seasons of *Nashville *are currently streaming on Netflix.

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