Scarlett O’Connor was a supporting character on ‘Nashville’ played by Clare Bowen. Scarlett wasn’t well received by audiences and fans of the show alike, as she was mostly perceived as spoiled young woman who turned down every opportunity left and right. Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with that testament, but no while knowing all the character’s history, as well as the woman behind the character. I’d go as far as saying that if one character on the show got to have a complete do-over, it would’ve been Scarlett herself. Bowen recently revealed that she has autism and ADHD. Of her decision to make her struggles with the disorders public, she said on the ‘Neurodivergent Woman’ podcast in December 2024, ‘What I know now is to make sure that every single one of those people, in whatever way I can, can kind of reach out and be like, hey, hey, you’re not by yourself, it’s okay. You don’t have to do it by yourself, it’s okay. If you feel like you don’t understand anything, or like nobody understands you, or like everyone’s laughing but you don’t get the joke, and maybe you are the joke, you can still become the person that you always dreamed of being, even if you are the butt of every joke, even if you feel like it fit anywhere.’ Here, we break down Scarlett O’Connor’s entire character arc on the show. We analyze what exactly made her so unlikeable. And finally, we explore how Bowen’s own story of living with autism could’ve paved the way for Scarlett. Let’s discuss…