Scream 6: Hayden Panettiere says return to franchise felt like ‘coming home’ following personal struggles
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hayden Panettiere has said returning to the Scream franchise felt like “coming home”. Like going home to a family.” The 33-year-old praised her fellow cast members, including Jenna Ortega and Yellowjackets star Jasmin Savoy Brown, as well as Scream VI’s directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. “They just created a family, just like it was on Scream 4.” Panettiere first played Kirby in 2011’s Scream 4, where the character appeared to be murdered. In a statement, Panettiere and her family revealed Jansen’s cause of death while asking for privacy to mourn their loss, writing: “Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit.” Last year, Panettiere revealed that – following the end of her TV series Nashville – her decision to pause her acting career was partly motivated by a series of personal struggles, including alcoholism and an addiction to opioids.