Warning: This story contains a major revelation from the Feb. 23 episode ofNashville.
Connie Britton: There were many reasons.
Marshall came up with this story and it felt right.
Credit: Jake Giles Netter/CMT
This experience matchesFriday Night Lightsfor the longest you’ve been on a project.
Just personally as an actor, were you wanting something new?
And also since this is often the case when shows change networks was money a factor at all?
No, money was not a factor.
I think [the length of time] had something to do with it.
As actors, we always want to keep challenging ourselves.
Let me just say there were a lot of reasons.
What was your reaction to reading the scripts as to how it played out?
When I read the scripts I was like, “Okay, here we go.”
It was very surreal and not easy.
There was definitely a big part of me that was not ready to go but there we were.
I wanted to make those moments as strong as possible for Rayna.
Yeah, I find that to be really challenging as an actor.
Whenever you’re playing an altered state it’s another layer of difficulty.
Also, there’s a real journey in the episode.
I was trying to find the subtleties of those different states.
Rayna’s mother has been the most important impact in her life.
So it was wonderful to have my dear friend come in and do that.
I think that scene is the turning point where Rayna starts to realize something’s not right.
That is tricky, I’ll admit.
I said something about that to the writers!
I didn’t want the girls to ever think they had anything to do with it.
What was it like shooting that final scene where everybody is singing and crying?
We could not get through it.
Those blessed girls who I love with every ounce of my being they could not get through the song.
I’m laying there, supposedly dying, and I had tears pouring down my cheeks.
It was a very tough week.
There were a lot of tears all around.
The crew, as well.
What was your best memory of working on the show?
In general, the singing and performing on stage.
Those were the scariest moments for me.
I would always get the most worked up and nervous.
Those were big production days.
But those were the most satisfying moments.
What will you miss the most?
It’s a family, and I miss them already.
I’m in touch with many of them still, and that includes crew members.
We’ve heard there will be some Rayna flashbacks in the weeks ahead.
But aside from that, what will you do next?
Are you tempted to reunite with Ryan Murphy for one of his upcoming seasons ofAmerican Horror StoryorAmerican Crime Story?
I’m very open at this point.
I’ll work with Ryan anytime, that’s always going to be true.
Beyond that, I’m really open and there are so many things I’d be interested in doing.
We’ll see what comes down the line.
And finally, I suspect fans are going to be really upset.
Is there anything else you’d want to say to them?
ALSO: Britton posted the following message on Instagram:
