It was her break-out acting role and Dolly hand-picked her for the part. In a comment to the press about her involvement in the casting process, Dolly recalled her reaction to watching Jennifer's video submission when auditioning for the role. Dolly said,
"She had sent in a little video. I didn't even know she even acted. She had had her hair dark. I didn't even recognize it as her. And when they started rolling that film, I said 'that's Mama.' Nobody could have done it better."
Landing the role was the first step. In preparation for her acting debut, Jennifer sought out advice from Dolly about Avie Lee. In an interview for the first film, Jennifer said,
"I asked Dolly about her mother and also pulled from my own precious relationship with my mother, not to mention my own relationship with my son as a mother myself."
Jennifer delivered a moving performance as Dolly's mother who grieves the loss of a child yet manages to cling to those she loves to begin healing and restoration.
At a press conference to promote the new film, "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" Jennifer eloquently answers a few questions about returning to the role of Avie Lee, how the first film has impacted her career and even shares a few of her favorite Christmas traditions.
Watch Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton in "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" airing on NBC on Nov. 30. It is also coming to DVD on Dec. 20, 2016.
The stars of Dolly's new NBC movie talk about the new film, share their Christmas wishes for the holiday season and much more.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" will air on NBC on Nov. 30 in a special two-hour movie event. The cast of the all new holiday film is excited about the sequel to last year's record-breaking hit. They've generously taken time out of their busy post-production schedules to share their thoughts on the new movie, what it was like to reunite with their co-stars and even shared their special Christmas wishes.
Watch interviews with the stars of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" including:
This highly-anticipated film is the next installment of the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton's remarkable upbringing in East Tennessee. "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" will air on NBC on Nov. 30 and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is bringing it to DVD on Dec. 20, 2016.
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olly makes a special appearance in the film as The Painted Lady, a woman from her childhood who Dolly has attributed her iconic look to for decades. She also introduces the film and serves as narrator.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" continues with the story of young Dolly as the Parton Family experiences a true Christmas miracle drawing the Partons closer than ever - with deepened faith and love for one another. The film delivers Christmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the family while Dolly’s father (and his kids) make sacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife the wedding ring he could never afford. Meanwhile, an important person in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice and musical gift might just be made for something bigger than rural Tennessee.
The family-oriented, faith-based movie stars Jennifer Nettles (Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and actress), Ricky Schroder (Golden Globe® Award-winner for The Champ, NYPD Blue), Alyvia Alyn Lind (Blended), Kelli Berglund (Lab Rats), Mary Lane Haskell (Coat of Many Colors), Cameron Jones (Shortland Street), Stella Parton (Green Corn), Hannah Nordberg (American Pastoral), Farrah MacKenzie, Parker Sack, Forrest Deal, Dylan Michael Rowen, Blane Crockarell and Gerald McRaney (Major Dad).
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings home this all-new holiday miracle on DVD on December 20, 2016. The DVD will feature deleted scenes and three brand new featurettes including behind-the-scenes interviews.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" is executive produced by Dolly Parton, Sam Haskell and Pamela K. Long. Written by Long, the film was directed by Stephen Herek. Hudson Hickman served as line producer and Velton Ray Bunch and Mark Leggett composed the musical score. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Productions and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
The 2015 critically acclaimed film, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" was awarded the Epiphany Prize for Inspiring Television from The Movieguide® Awards, the ACM® Tex Ritter Award and the coveted Christopher Award.
Update (Nov. 3, 2016): Dollywood will host the Hollywood Premiere of "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" on Nov. 22, 2016.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" airs on NBC on Nov. 30 at 9/8c.
Coming off the phenomenal performance of last year’s holiday special and looking to recapture the enthusiasm of the nearly 16 million viewers who tuned in, NBC is announcing the sequel "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love."
"Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" is the next chapter in the life of young Dolly Parton. The film delivers Christmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the Parton family while at the same time Dolly’s father (and his kids) make sacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife the wedding ring he could never afford to give her. Meanwhile, an important person in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice and musical gift might just be made for something bigger than rural Tennessee.
The original cast will return for the sequel: Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens and Alyvia Alyn Lind as young Dolly Parton. Other members of the cast, as well as a premiere date, will be announced in the coming months. Dolly said,
“I was so overwhelmed and touched by how many people watched ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and their reaction to it. The song ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ of course, has always been my favorite and has touched so many people through the years, especially me. It is a true story from a very special time in my childhood. I am so happy to share this story with the viewers and to say there is so much more to tell because mine truly has been a life of many colors. I hope the viewers will fall in love all over again.”
Stephen Herek, who directed the original film, is also back to direct the sequel. Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment said,
“It’s no secret that everyone loves Dolly Parton and the response to our first movie was overwhelming, both in terms of the size of the audience and outpouring of love for a film with family values and faith. So it felt like a no-brainer to bring this talented cast back together and tell another compelling holiday story culled from Dolly’s own life growing up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Her spirit and belief in God — and her music — will infuse this movie with the true spirit of Dolly Parton.”
"Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" 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 Dixie Pixie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
“Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors" premiered on NBC on Dec. 10, 2015, and drew a record-breaking audience of nearly 16 million viewers making it the most-watched movie on broadcast television in six years. It became available on DVD on May 3, 2016.
In support of the DVD release, Dolly will head out on the promotional trail and appear on "CBS This Morning," "700 Club," "Access Hollywood," GAC’s "Great American Playlist," CMT’s "Hot Twenty Countdown," "Fox411," and more.
Fans can experience the magic and warmth of the television movie event based on the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton's remarkable upbringing in rural Tennessee.
This once-in-a-lifetime special takes place inside the tight-knit Parton family as they struggle to overcome a devastating tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith and a raggedy patchwork coat — vividly described in the well-known song of the film's title — that helped make Dolly who she is today. Set in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains in 1955, this poignant and uplifting family-friendly story follows the incidents in Dolly and her family's life around the time she was nine years old. Dolly said,
“It is my true belief that if you're lucky enough to have a good mother, that is the greatest gift that you will ever know. So many people responded to my Mother in the 'Coat of Many Colors' movie not only because of the wonderful job that Jennifer Nettles did portraying her, but the love and attention that Mama gave to all of her children.”
Dolly's Promotional Appearances:
The DVD version of "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" also contains an alternate version of the movie, deleted scenes and heartwarming extras.
Order "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"
"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" is executive produced by Dolly Parton, Sam Haskell and Pamela K. Long. Written by Long, the film was directed by Stephen Herek. Hudson Hickman served as line producer and Velton Ray Bunch and Mark Leggett composed the musical score. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Productions and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" first premiered on December 10, 2015, on NBC.
