Starring Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Treat Williams and directed and choreographed by three-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen, Christmas on the Square features 14 original Dolly songs in what is sure to become a new holiday classic.
In these one-on-one interviews from The Front Porch, the cast and crew share special memories from on and off the set. Director and Choreographer Debbie Allen was overjoyed to slip back into her musical theater shoes. Christine Baranski welcomed the role of yet another "Christmas Scrooge" as long as it was opposite an angel played by Dolly Parton. And Jenifer Lewis hopes this film will fill everyone's hearts with some Christmas joy during a time when we may need it most. Everyone has a "Dolly Story" and within these interviews, this loveable cast shares how they forged lasting friendships while making the film.
Sam Haskell is the founder of Magnolia Hill Productions. Partnering with Dolly Parton, Magnolia Hill produced Christmas on the Square and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings for Netflix. He also produced two television movies for NBC, Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors and Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. Coat of Many Colors drew more than 16 million live viewers making it the most viewed film on broadcast TV in over six years. Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love garnered 14.5 million live viewers and received an Emmy Nomination
Photo Credit: Curtis Hilbun
Dollywood hosted a special red carpet event for Dolly Parton and the stars of her new Netflix series, "Heartstrings." Each of the eight episodes is based on one of Dolly’s iconic songs. The series is also stacked with many familiar names and some fresh faces. Dolly is credited in every episode with either an on-camera role or as a narrator.
In Episode 4, fans will see Julianne Hough star as Jolene alongside Dolly who plays Babe (Jolene’s surrogate mother). Joining them will be Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride), Dallas Roberts (3:10 to Yuma) and Wynn Everett (Charlie Wilson’s War).
Julianne Hough and Kimberly Williams-Paisley were among the smiling faces who walked the red carpet at the Dollywood premiere event. Park guests lined the path to snap a photo of their favorites, including Dolly herself, of course!
Episode 1 These Old Bones
Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time) and Katheleen Turner (Romancing the Stone, Peggy Sue Got Married) headline the episode with Kyle Bornheimer also signed on for the episode.
Episode 2 – If I Had Wings
Gerald McRaney (The A-Team, House of Cards), Delta Burke (Designing Women), Ben Lawson (Designated Survivor, No Strings Attached) and Tim Reid (WKRP in Cincinnati) feature in this episode.
Episode 3 – JJ Sneed
Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series), Colin O’Donoghue (The Rite) are both scheduled to headline this episode.
Episode 4 – Jolene
This episode features a star-studded lineup with Julianne Hough being the main draw but also featuring Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride), Dallas Roberts (3:10 to Yuma) and Wynn Everett (Charlie Wilson’s War).
Episode 5 – Cracker Jack
Sarah Shahi (Bullet to the Head) will play the role of Lucy Jane bu Rochelle Aytes (Trick ‘r Treat) playing Scarlett.
Episode 6 – Sugar Hill
The cast of Episode 6 is perhaps the most unknown and includes Timothy Busfield from The West Wing as Logan Cantrell.
Episode 7 – Down From Dover
Robert Taylor (Longmire) will play the role of Reverend Covern. Bellamy Young (Scandal), Holly Taylor (The Americans), Camryn Manheim (The Practice) and Shane Paul McGhie (After) also feature.
Episode 8 – Two Doors Down
Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Ray McKinnon (Rectify), Catherine Dyer (The Blind Side) and Katie Stevens (Faking It) feature.
On July 13, the Television Academy announced nominations for the 69th Emmy® Awards. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Hayma Washington along with Anna Chlumsky from the HBO series "Veep" and Shemar Moore from CBS’ "S.W.A.T." hosted the ceremony. "Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle Of Love" is among those recognized by the organization. This second installment of Dolly’s four-movie deal with NBC is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie. Dolly said,
"I am so very proud and excited to have ‘Christmas of Many Colors’ be nominated for an Emmy award. Special thanks to my partner and executive producer Sam Haskell, a wonderful cast and crew, Steve Herek (our producer) and Pamela Long for a great script. And a special thanks to all of the many fans that watched it."
In the two-hour movie, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of East Tennessee, face a devastating event, challenging their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever — with deepened faith and love for one another. Jennifer Nettles, who plays Dolly’s mother in the film, said,
“This project for me was a celebration of the family and the beautiful story of Miss Dolly Parton. Each day I played Avie Lee Parton was a joy. For "Christmas of Many Colors" to be nominated and celebrated further by the Emmy's, thrills me.”
The 69th Emmy Awards will telecast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Watch on Sunday, September 17 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT) on CBS. Stephen Colbert will serve as host. White Cherry Entertainment will produce the 69th Emmy Awards. Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner are executive producers. Weiss is the director. And Chris Licht, executive producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is a producer.
Here is a list of works nominated alongside "Christmas of Many Colors."
See a full list of Emmy nominees
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, and Gerald McCraney co-starred in the holiday movie. The film aired on NBC, with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. In addition to the Emmy nomination, "Christmas of Many Colors" earned the Movieguide® Epiphany Prize. The family-focused film also received honors at the 68th Annual Christopher Awards.
This nomination marks Dolly's second Emmy nod. She received her first in 1978. Her appearance on the one-time television special "Cher…Special" earned Dolly a nomination for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music.
