Rayna James is no more, you guys.
After months of speculation, we finally got official confirmation that Connie Britton has left Nashville in her rear-view mirror.
That confirmation came in the form of the character dying due to complications from a car crash.
She had only barely survived a knife attack from a deranged stalker before being hurt in the car crash.
The horrible thing about all of it was that viewers were fooled into thinking Rayna was going to pull through and sing another day.
The final scene with Deacon, Maddie, and Daphne singing a song to her was too much to handle.
She woke up one last time, before flat lining.
It’s great when TV series can surprise their audience, but this was a twist too far for most fans.
Connie Britton took to Instagram to wave goodbye to her character in a post that would make anyone cry.
The lengthy Instagram post reads:
Thank you, Rayna Jaymes. For your magic and your dignity. 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. T Bone, Buddy, Tim, Frankie and all the brilliant songwriters who gave Rayna a voice. There was no music, and no Rayna, without you.
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. 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 moved to CMT after ABC swung the ax on the series last May. Fans persisted to find the series a new home, and they succeeded.
There were rumblings before Nashville Season 5 even premiered that Connie was only signed on for half of the season and would depart after that.
However, Britton recently revealed on Ellen that she would be around for a lot more than just the initial half of the season.
Unless she’s showing up in flashbacks, that appears unlikely.
The series has been on a creative upswing since Marshall Herskovitz Ed Zwick replaced Dee Johnson.
The show has been less sensational throughout this season and has managed to make the characters likable again.
Heck, even Maddie Conrad has not been completely annoying.
What do you think about all of this, Nashville fanatics?
Sound off below!
