Connie Britton on her ‘Nashville’ Exit: ‘The Show Must, and Will Go On’
"It has been an honor to be a part of that creation," Britton shared in a heartfelt note to fans.
Fans of the hit show Nashville were rattled Thursday evening (Feb. 23) at the shocking conclusion of the episode when Rayna James (Connie Britton) took her last breath in the hospital after succumbing to her injuries following a horrific car accident. Surrounded by her loving husband, Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten), and daughters, Maddie and Daphne (Lennon and Maisy Stella), the show’s country superstar passed away.
Rumors of Britton’s departure from the show have been circling for months, but the actress seemed to have shut those rumors down during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. During her appearance on the syndicated talk show, Britton told the host (and fans) that she’d be there for awhile.
“I’m in it. I’m in. I’m in for the duration and we’re about to start a new season. And it’s an exciting new season because we have new showrunners, so we have new writers and the stories, I think, are going to be really…it’s gonna get us back to what Nashville is about,” she said at the time.
But now, Britton is clarifying her comments, saying in her mind, she wasn’t exactly dishonest.
“To be completely honest, I was taken off guard. I had no idea that Ellen was going to bring up [the exit rumors]. I was really [put] on the spot and I had to protect the story,” she told TVLine. “My commitment has always been to the show. But I’m not a good liar! [Laughs] So, ‘I’m in it for the duration,’ in my mind [means] I’m in it for the duration of… what I perceived to be this character. But of course, I understand why it was construed in the way it was. That was a very difficult moment for me.”
The actress went on to admit that it was her idea to leave the show for several reasons, but is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“Honestly, I’m going to take a little rest, if such a thing is possible. I’ve been doing network TV for 10 years straight without a break. And I adopted my son five years into it… But I also love to work,” she admitted. “There are a couple of film things coming up that I’m excited about. In terms of TV, I’m very open to whatever comes around. But moving forward, I like the idea of maybe starting something from the beginning and being really at the ground level in terms of development and creation. To me, that would be very exciting.”
After the shocking episode, Britton took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message to her co-stars and fans.
“Thank you Rayna Jaymes. For your magic and your dignity,” she began. “And thank you to all the creators of Rayna Jaymes, for there were many. Callie Khouri, who gave her life. Deacon, Maddie, Daphne, who shaped her as her family. Teddy, Tandy, Lamar too. Juliette, Scarlett, Bucky and the ones who crafted her into a business woman. Along with countless other compatriots and combatants. And then of course the crew of “Nashville” who brought her to life, every crew member in every department who made Rayna live each week.”
“And then there’s the music,” she continued. “T Bone, Buddy, Tim, Frankie and all the brilliant songwriters who gave Rayna a voice. There was no music, and no Rayna, without you.”
Before bidding her final farewell, she had a message for the “Nashies” who have followed the show for years.
“But finally and most importantly, the fans. You made Rayna. You supported her and loved her and gave her inspiration just as she was able to inspire you. You were the energy source, the power behind her heart and soul and life. Rayna lived for you.”
She closed her note with thoughts about the future of the show.
“And, from the depths of my heart, I thank you, for her and for me. It has been an honor to be a part of that creation. And as I know she would want it, the show must, and will go on. Long live Rayna Jaymes. #RIPRayna #NashvilleCMT”
Nashville airs Thursday nights on CMT.
