Charles Esten shared a poignant memory of working with Hayden Panettiere on the country music drama Nashville, following the actress's death at age 36. Esten, who played Rory Womack on the ABC series, recalled his first encounter with Panettiere during the pilot audition process.
The actor joined Nashville as a late addition to the cast, becoming the final series regular announced in March 2012. Despite his timing on the ensemble drama, Esten forged a meaningful connection with Panettiere, who played Juliette Barnes, the ambitious young pop star central to the show's narrative about fading Nashville fame and resilience.
In his tribute, Esten expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share scenes with Panettiere. "What a great gift it was to act with you," he reflected on their collaborative work throughout the series, which ran for six seasons on ABC before moving to CMT.
Esten's remembrance joins a wave of tributes from Nashville's extended ensemble. Connie Britton, who played Rayna Jaymes, delivered an earlier heartfelt tribute to her co-star. The ABC series featured an expansive cast navigating overlapping romantic and professional storylines set against Nashville's music industry backdrop.
Panettiere's death came after years away from Hollywood. The actress had stepped back from public life in 2018, citing personal struggles and focusing on recovery. Before her departure, she built recognition through roles on Heroes and the Nashville series, where she delivered volatile, nuanced performances that earned critical attention from industry observers and contributed to the show's devoted fanbase.
Nashville became a cultural touchstone for country music television, blending serialized soap opera elements with genuine musical performances and industry authenticity. The chemistry between cast members, including Panettiere and Esten, helped anchor the show