Hayden Panettiere to Star in ABC Drama Pilot NASHVILLE

As first reported on Deadline.com, actress Hayden Panettiere will star in the upcoming ABC drama pilot NASHVILLE from Lionsgate and ABC Studios. The project was scripted by Callie Khouri and directed by R.J. Cutler. The actress will join previously announced cast members Robert Wisdom, Powers Boothe, Clare Bowen and Jonathan Jackson.

The show is described as "a family soap about love, country music, family, politics and sex set against the backdrop of the Nashville music scene." Panettiere will portray Juliette Barnes, a teen pop star who is touring with a 40-year-old Nashville legend namEd Rayna James. Competition quickly develops between the two singers as the elder performer fears she will be dropped from her record label if her record sales do not improve.  

Panettiere appeared on TV as cheerleader Claire Bennett on NBC's 'Heroes'. She appears in Lifetime's telefilm Amanda Knox: Murder On Trial In Italy and has co-starred in Scream 4 on the big screen.