Netflix is making a Dolly Parton series — and it’ll feature the legendary singer *and* her music
It’s one thing to have your songs become number one hits, but it’s a whole other thing to have an entire television series be based on a collection of your anthems. Netflix has just announced that it’s ordered an eight-part Dolly Parton anthology series — with one of her songs serving as the basis for each episode — further cementing her status as a living music legend.
The country music queen will appear in select episodes, along with serving as executive producer and songwriter for the show.
"As a songwriter, I have always enjoyed telling stories through my music. I am thrilled to be bringing some of my favorite songs to life with Netflix, Parton said in a statement. “We hope our show will inspire and entertain families and folks of all generations, and I want to thank the good folks at Netflix and Warner Bros. TV for their incredible support."
As a songwriter, I have always enjoyed telling stories through my music. I am thrilled to be bringing some of my favorite songs to life with @Netflix. We hope our show will inspire and entertain families and folks of all generations. https://t.co/jfMo5W16DY
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) June 4, 2018
.@DollyParton and her music are headed to Netflix! The living legend will serve as singer/songwriter, co-star, and executive producer on a new anthology series where every episode is based on an iconic Dolly Parton song. pic.twitter.com/8AdZFFTjcd
— Queue (@netflixqueue) June 4, 2018
This isn’t the first time Parton’s music has branched into the small screen. In 2015, the star partnered with NBC to produce Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, which told the story of the inspiration behind her song of the same name. Garnering 13 million viewers on its first run, NBC produced a sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, which clinched an Emmy nomination for Outstanding TV Movie.
In August 2015, producer Sam Haskell announced that they were planning a third film based on one of Parton’s most popular hits, “Jolene,” with The West Wing’s John Sacret Young penning the script, but the project never materialized. It’s unclear whether it will be included in the upcoming Netflix anthology, but we’re crossing our fingers that it is, because who wouldn’t want to know how that perennial bop came to be?
No premiere date has been set yet, but we’re keeping our eyes peeled for future announcements. Let’s just hope that Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin decide to do a cameo to make our 9 to 5 reboot dreams come true!
