Mary Lane Haskell portrays Miss Moody, Dolly's teacher, in "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." The young actress shares her favorite Dolly song and talks about how Stella Parton's presence on-set impacted her.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Miss Moody stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. Miss Moody got out, she went to school, she educated herself. She had a hunger for learning but, most importantly, she had a passion for coming back home and sharing that learning with these kids. That was something that I loved learning about her.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. Oh Yes! It was about a 20-day shoot, we were all there living in this little hotel in Conyers, GA. It had a pool out back and after a long day of shooting, everybody would go out back and swim in the pool. We'd have movie nights where we'd all get together and watch movies in one of our hotel rooms, and we did become a family. We all miss each other. We're all very connected on social media still.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. As far as acting achievements, especially television, I would consider it my big break. I lived in New York for eight years, and I did a lot of singing work. I debuted at Carnegie Hall when I was 18 and had sung all over New York in concert venues. This was the first time that I've had a character that stuck around for the whole thing. It really was incredible and what I'm hoping will be a career-defining role for me. I loved every moment of it, and I feel very, very blessed.
Q. The song "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. I think it's because there are so many facets of the story. Of course, there are the people who experience the poverty and the struggle that the Parton's faced in 1955. They hear how Dolly rose above it.
I was bullied as a child. [I thought] if Dolly Parton can be bullied and become what she has become, then what's going to stop me from achieving my dreams? If you know who you are and you like who you are and you have a family you love and that supports you in your dreams, then you can achieve anything. I think that's something that I always related to as a child listening to "Coat of Many Colors."
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. That's almost an impossible question because I have so many favorite Dolly Parton songs, but I would have to say "The Seeker" is probably my all-time favorite. I think it's such a great message about no matter where we are in our lives, no matter how successful or no matter what's going on, we have to remember that we're all just seekers. We're all just looking to do right by the Man from which all blessings flow.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
During the final scene, I was sitting next to Miss Stella Parton. Miss Stella was moved on a different level. In that moment, I realized this was something from her life that actually happened in her life, and watching her react to seeing it unfold again in such an authentic way was so special.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Mary Lane Haskell as Miss Moody in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
Carson, like her character, naturally found herself watching after the younger children on set and even shared her favorite hobby with a few, which became a big hit.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Willadeene stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. I bought all of her books, her cookbook and "Smoky Mountain Memories." I did a lot of reading about her. I loved that she kept the letters from her sisters and kind of held all those memories so dear to her. And then Stella [Parton] being on set told me great stories about her sister. One of my favorite's is that Willadeene would put perfume on the girls before she would go out which would always make them happy.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. Oh yeah, absolutely. I think working with all the kids it's hard not to feel like a family. We were all staying at one hotel, so we would all go to the pool after. I taught the girls how to knit, which was really fun, and crochet because I'm a big crocheter myself. It reminded me of being at summer camp. I loved everybody on set. It was a really, really special group.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me! I've always been a huge Dolly fan my whole life. I've read all of her books, her movies, her songs. I just think she's a really, really special person and somebody that's worthy of all the success and fame that she's achieved. So for me to be able to work with Dolly is a dream come true.
Q. The song "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. This idea that you can't buy love and that nothing else really matters. It's all just family...the importance of family and community and faith and all the things that have nothing to do with material objects.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. Yes, "Heartbreak Express" has always been my favorite. I used to listen to it on constant replay in the car on my way to school when I was in high school. It's gotten me through so many heartaches and heartbreaks.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. I don't know if I can pin it down to one moment. I had a hard time sleeping, because I was so excited for the next day of work. I loved every moment of it.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
Singer-songwriter and musician, Jennifer Nettles, portrays Dolly Parton's mother in the new NBC film based on Dolly's song, "Coat of Many Colors." Best known as lead vocalist of the country duo Sugarland, Jennifer is a storyteller at heart. She was beyond thrilled to join in the re-telling of this beloved story from Dolly's childhood.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Avie Lee stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. What I loved most about Avie Lee was her authentic mixture of vulnerability, compassion and strength. She loses a child and goes into a dark depression. She checks out for a while. She is real and wounded and human. But, her love of her family gives her strength to push beyond and create a beautiful metaphor of rebirth out of tragedy by making a coat for Dolly. I love so much that beautiful, living metaphor of her sewing those pieces back together. So womanly and strong.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. We had a ball. Having so many kids in the cast kept us all laughing and humble. Children have a beautiful way of demanding your presence and that definitely provided levity much of the time. Though there were times where I definitely heard myself become "mother-hen" in trying to help keep their little attentions for the next shot. And, true to the script, many of the older children helped to keep the younger ones in focus.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. Playing the role of Avie Lee definitely ranks up at the top of the list for rewarding artistic experiences. I love telling stories, be it in a three and a half minute song or as an actor. Getting to tell such a beautiful story as Avie Lee's and getting to dive deeply into her heart, her struggles and her strength was such a treat for me.
Q. Knowing that Dolly herself helped cast you in this role, did you feel a certain amount of pressure to get it right and if so how did you handle it?
A. You better believe I felt pressure!! I was chosen to play Dolly Parton's mother!! The relationship between a mother and child is so special and sacred and complex. I wanted to honor their close bond and make Dolly proud at the same time. 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.
Q. The song "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. The symbol of the "Coat of Many Colors" is one of alchemy. We are all so attracted and attached to the very real experience of something simple and humble actually holding the most value. We love and relate to taking humility and limited resources and watching them be transformed into gold, through the lens of love.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors," do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. "Jolene." Of course. Such a fantastic story of the complexities and messiness of love and life. And I love that it is from one woman to another.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. Interestingly enough, my favorite moments were the most painful ones. The funeral scene in particular. How cathartic. I hope its rawness touches people and reminds them that their own losses are seen and understood.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
Alyvia Alyn Lind portrays Little Dolly in NBC's new movie, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." The young star talks about wearing the famous coat, the message of the song and getting to sing with Dolly.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Dolly stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. It surprised me how sassy Dolly was. I didn't realize at first [how] alike Dolly and I were. We are both really emotional and nothing stands in our way. I liked Dolly more and more as I got to know the character better.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. The cast got so close, so quickly! When I first met Hannah [Nordberg], the girl playing Dolly's best friend in the movie, we had an instant connection! We were BFF's on the very first day. And Jennifer and Ricky felt like my real parents. It was an amazing family - I loved everyone.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. I would have to say that playing Dolly is the highlight of my career. I've worked with amazing actors - Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig - and I'm so lucky. But this role has been the one I connect to the most. I really did not want to say goodbye to Little Dolly.
Q. After the first movie poster was released, the world got to see you in the Coat. What was it like for you when you first put that coat on, knowing what it symbolizes?
A. I loved the coat when I saw it for the first time. I had no idea how beautiful it would be - and I felt so proud wearing it. It symbolizes accepting people for who they are, and it patches together little bits and pieces of Dolly's life - it also shows how much love Dolly's mom had for her and her family. I felt so much responsibility putting it on because I know how much it means to Dolly.
Q. The song, "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, 44 years ago, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. Even though the song was written so long ago, it still shows how important it is to be nice to everyone, not to bully or judge, and that all different types of people can get along and love each other. The song still means so much today.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song and if so what is it?
A. I love "9 to 5" - actually, that has always been one of my favorite movies. My mom loves showing me movies from the 70's and 80's - that one always stood out to me. That is one of the reasons I was so excited to play Dolly.
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. My favorite part of being in the movie was getting to sing a duet with Dolly. I still can't believe that this has happened to me and feel so honored that I get to sing with such a legend.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton in "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors."
Farrah raved about the fun, off-set activities planned for the stars. However, on-set her professionalism shined.
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Q. As you started to develop your character, what things about Stella Parton stood out or perhaps surprised you?
A. I didn’t really develop until after I met Stella, but I still developed. It's really nice to get stories from actual Partons. So, this one day I was in a scene, I was just doodling in my school book with my right hand, and the day after that the actual Stella, she told my dad that she's actually left-handed. So in the school scene, I started writing with my left hand. It wasn’t that nice, but I still accomplished it.
Q. The Parton family is known for their tight-knit bonds. While filming, did the cast develop similar family-like relationships?
A. Oh, yeah yeah yeah we did! We did so much! First day I got a very warm welcoming from all my cast members. We actually did PE outside. We ran around with all the characters like [Alyvia] who played Dolly and all the other great people. We actually did CrossFit; me and Hannah [Nordberg]. Hannah played Judy.
[Carson Meyer] taught me how to crochet and I do that a lot now. We always go in the pool, we never did a day without pool. When the whole cast was in the pool we had water gun fights. And sometimes I did fight with Blane, [Crockarell] who played Bobby, but we got over it. We had movie night every other night, and that was really fun. We went on dinners a lot, and I had a lot of sleepovers with the cast. We went on field trips such as Stone Mountain, we went to World of Coke, it was really fun. I also went to a CrossFit gym with Hannah, so that was really fun. We made a really tight bond.
Q. Considering everything you have done in your career, where does this role rank in your list of achievements?
A. Well, I’d probably say number two. "Nanny Cam," a movie that I did that’s on Amazon and Lifetime, I had a slightly bigger role in that. But this movie could also become number one, because it is on NBC. It’s a Christmas movie, and it could also be playing every year for the rest of my life. And it’s also Dolly Parton!
Q. The song "Coat of Many Colors" first debuted in 1971, yet it still has a powerful message for people today. Why do you think people relate so well to this story?
A. Well, the song really tells that you can be rich in many ways, such as love and generosity and that just tells people a lot of things. So you don’t just need to be rich in money, you can be rich in many ways.
Q. Other than "Coat of Many Colors" do you have a favorite Dolly song?
A. My favorite Dolly song is "9 to 5" definitely. I really relate to that song, because every morning I wake up and yawn and stretch and try as hard as I can to get alive. [Singing] I wake up stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition, yawn and stretch and try as hard as I can to get alive!
Q. What was your favorite moment of making the film or your favorite takeaway?
A. I have so many. First of all, meeting the person I play, Stella; Carson and Hannah teaching me how to crochet; movie nights, seriously those were really fun. I liked doing CrossFit and PE with all of my friends. And in the makeup and hair trailer, I really loved getting those bouncy curls in my hair but, of course, they fell out in the humidity.
See more cast interviews and tune in Thursday, December 10 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton in "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors."
