Director Griff Furst has opened up about Hayden Panettiere's troubled state during the production of "A Breed Apart," describing the actress as operating under a "dark" energy that troubled those around her. Furst's recollection coincides with a period in Panettiere's life marked by personal turmoil and legal complications.
Furst noted that Panettiere "was not OK" while working on the film, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her struggles during that chapter. The director also pointed to the presence of Brian Hickerson, Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, during set visits as a contributing factor to the atmosphere on production.
Hickerson and Panettiere's relationship has been documented through multiple incidents. In 2020, Panettiere's mother Lesley filed a police report regarding an alleged domestic violence incident involving the couple, though Panettiere initially declined to press charges. The actor later withdrew those charges but acknowledged the complexity of their tumultuous relationship.
Furst's account adds to a growing body of public acknowledgment regarding Panettiere's personal struggles during this period. The actress, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," has been relatively private about her difficulties, though she has discussed her battles with postpartum depression and substance abuse in previous interviews.
The comments from Furst represent a notable instance of a director publicly addressing an actor's off-screen challenges and their impact on a production environment. While Furst stops short of offering specifics about Panettiere's behavior on set or how it affected the shoot itself, his characterization of her emotional state suggests a production working around significant personal turmoil.
Panettiere's life has stabilized in more recent years, marked by her focused efforts on recovery and her role raising her son.