Trio to portray members of Dolly’s family in the upcoming NBC television movie, "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors"

Update (Aug. 19, 2015): It’s official, “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” is set to air on NBC, Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9-11 PM!

Award-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles as well as multi-award nominees Gerald McRaney and Ricky Schroder, a former Golden Globe winner, have been added to the cast of the upcoming NBC film, "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."

Nettles, who will play Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton, has become one of the most popular singer-songwriters in music today. As the lead singer of the duo Sugarland, Nettles has sold more than 22 million albums, achieved eight #1 singles and has won numerous awards, including trophies from the Grammys, AMAs, ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards. In addition, Nettles debuted her first solo album in 2014 which went to #1 on the country charts.

Adding theater actress to her already impressive resume, Nettles made her Broadway debut in February as Roxy Hart in the Tony Award-winning musical "Chicago."

McRaney, who will play Grandpa Jake Owens, is one of the most respected actors of his generation. His career includes roles in several critically acclaimed television dramas — "Deadwood," "Southland" and "House of Cards" — and he currently co-stars on the Western series "Longmire." He will also co-star on the upcoming TNT series "Agent X." McRaney was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award as part of the cast for both "Deadwood" and "House of Cards."

Schroder, who portrays Dolly’s father, Lee Parton, has had a lengthy career dating back to when the actor was nine years old and won a Golden Globe for his role in the heartfelt boxing film "The Champ." Schroder was SAG nominated both individually and as a member of the cast of the Emmy Award-winning police drama "NYPD Blue" and had a co-starring role in the Emmy-winning drama "24."

As previously announced, Alyvia Lind will portray nine-year-old Dolly Parton. Alyvia most recently had a role in the Lifetime movie spoof "A Deadly Adoption," with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig.

"Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" is based on the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton’s remarkable upbringing. This once-in-a-lifetime movie special takes place inside the tight-knit Parton family as they struggle to overcome devastating tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith, and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped make Dolly who she is today.

The film is set in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains in 1955. It is neither a biopic nor musical about Dolly’s whole life and performing career, but rather a family-oriented, faith-based story about the incidents in her and her family’s life around the time she was nine years old.

"Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" is written by Pamela K. Long. She executive produces with Sam Haskell and Dolly Parton. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and will air December 10, 2015 at 9PM Eastern on NBC

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Alyvia Alyn Lind lands the leading role in NBC's adaptation of Dolly’s autobiographical song "Coat of Many Colors"

Update (Aug. 19, 2015): It’s official, "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" is set to air on NBC, Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9-11 PM!

The young actress made her film debut in 2013's "Dark Skies." The following year she starred alongside Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in the movie "Blended." In addition to her film career, Alyvia Alyn Lind has played Faith Newman in over 80 episodes of television’s "The Young and the Restless." Alyvia was also cast as five-year-old Amanda Clarke in the television series "Revenge."

Dolly surprised Alyvia with the announcement in person and the young star was nearly speechless. Dolly said,

“When you were doing your little audition, I thought I wish I would have been that pretty when I was little, I wish I would have been that smart. I really felt you and I thought, well, I would be so honored to have you play Little Dolly.”

Plans for a television movie series of Dolly’s songs began in May of 2015. "Coat of Many Colors" the movie is set to air in December of 2015.

• Watch Dolly surprise Alyvia on the TODAY
• More information available via NBC
• Related "Coat of Many Colors" article