Dolly Parton Gets Her Own Series on Netflix: Heartstrings
We’ve got some exciting news for Dolly Parton fans! Our Smoky Mountain hometown hero’s very own series has hit Netflix! Each of Dolly’s Netflix movies are based on one of her hit songs in an 8-part movie series called Heartstrings. In addition to providing inspiration with her music, Dolly also appears in select episodes of the new anthology show. The first season of Dolly’s series premiered on Nov. 22!
Dolly Parton at Heartstrings Premiere
On October 29, Dolly Parton was in town for the special premiere of her new Netflix series, Heartstrings. The premiere was held at Dollywood, which shut down for the day to celebrate the series. People who attended included celebrities and executives involved in the Netflix series, as well as 500 fans and 150 Dollywood employees who won the opportunity to attend. On the red carpet, Parton talked about her busy life, from her new song “Faith” to her podcast.
Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings Film Festival
Dolly Parton’s Netflix series, Heartstrings, did not hit Netflix until November 22, but fans got the chance to watch it early at the Heartstrings Film Festival at Dollywood! On October 30, the theme park celebrated the upcoming release of the 8-movie series. All 8 movies aired throughout the day at Showstreet Palace Theater. Guests had to have a wristband to be able to attend the festival, but the good news is that the wristbands were free! All visitors had to purchase was admission to the park, and wristbands were available at the front gate until supplies lasted. Wristband distribution ended at noon on October 30. Here is the full schedule of the festival:
J.J. Sneed – 10 a.m. – 60 minutes
These Old Bones – 11:25 a.m. – 85 minutes
If I Had Wings – 1:15 p.m. – 65 minutes
Jolene – 2:45 p.m. – 70 minutes
Cracker Jack – 4:15 p.m. – 65 minutes
Sugar Hill – 5:40 p.m. 60 minutes
Down from Dover – 7 p.m. – 65 minutes
Two Doors Down – 8:25 p.m. – 65 minutes
Dolly Parton: Master Storyteller
Dolly’s partnership with Netflix is a natural fit because Parton has always been a master storyteller. For more than 50 years, Dolly’s songs have transfixed listeners with tales of love, heartbreak, faith, and family. In her official announcement, Dolly describes her vision for her new Netflix series:
“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, and I want to thank the good folks at Netflix and Warner Bros. TV for their incredible support.”
Netflix Takes a Page Out of NBC’s Book
Dolly’s movies for Netflix are similar to the TV films she produced for NBC. In 2015, the network aired Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, a made-for-television drama inspired by Dolly’s classic song of the same name. Starring Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton and Jennifer Nettles and Ricky Schroder as her parents, the movie was a smash hit, drawing more than 13 million viewers on its first run.
The film was so successful that NBC commissioned a sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. Premiering in 2016, the movie reunited the cast from the first film to tell a heartwarming holiday tale based on a true story from Dolly’s childhood. Dolly herself had a cameo in the movie, playing a character she calls “the Painted Lady.” Christmas of Many Colors was also a big hit for NBC, attracting a first-run audience of 11 million viewers.
Both Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors were produced by Warner Bros. Television, which will also be producing Dolly’s new series for Netflix.
Which Songs are Inspiring the Movies?
The question on every Dolly fan’s lips is, of course, which of Parton’s songs were adapted into movies for the new series? Here are the songs that you can expect as episodes:
- J.J. Sneed
- These Old Bones
- If I Had Wings
- Jolene
- Cracker Jack
- Sugar Hill
- Down From Dover
- Two Doors Down
Dolly-Themed Fun in the Smoky Mountains
When you vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for enjoying some Dolly-themed fun! Here are three awesome attractions that Dolly fans won’t want to miss during their getaway:
