''Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'', or simply ''Heartstrings'', is an American anthology

dramedy Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple comic relief seen in a typical ...

streaming television Streaming television is the digital distribution of television content, such as TV shows, as streaming media delivered over the Internet. Streaming television stands in contrast to dedicated terrestrial television delivered by over-the-air a ...

series that premiered on November 22, 2019 on

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...

Premise

''Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'' showcases "the stories, memories and inspirations behind Parton’s most beloved songs."

Production

Development

On June 4, 2018, it was announced that

had given the production, then untitled, a series order for a first season consisting of eight episodes. Executive producers were expected to include

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

and Sam Haskell. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Dixie Pixie Productions, Magnolia Hill Entertainment,

Warner Bros. Television Warner Bros. Television Studios (operating under the name Warner Bros. Television; formerly known as Warner Bros. Television Division) is an American television production and distribution studio of the Warner Bros. Television Group division of ...

, and Sandollar Productions. The New York Times reported that the show was inspired by the WNYC podcast Dolly Parton's America. In November 2018, it was reported that the series had been titled ''Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'', that it would premiere in 2019, and that Patrick Sean Smith would serve as the series' showrunner and as an additional executive producer. Additionally, it was further reported that episodes would be based upon the songs " Jolene", "These Old Bones", and "If I Had Wings". All of the episodes were set to be written by Jim Strain with

Joe Lazarov Joe Lazarov is an American television director and Television producer, producer. He began his professional career working as production assistant on television commercials. In 1987, he worked as a post-production supervisor on the series ''North ...

directing "These Old Bones" and

Timothy Busfield Timothy Busfield (born June 12, 1957) is an American actor and director. He has played Elliot Weston on the television series ''thirtysomething''; Mark, the brother-in-law of Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) in ''Field of Dreams''; and Danny Concann ...

directing "If I Had Wings". On December 19, 2018, it was announced that

Terry McDonough Terry McDonough is a British television director. He has been active since 1985. He moved on to directing episodes of ''Peak Practice'', ''Eleventh Hour'', '' Where the Heart Is'', '' Sweet Medicine'', ''The Royal'', ''Wire in the Blood'', ''T ...

would direct an episode based on the song "JJ Sneed" from another script by Strain. On February 11, 2019, it was announced that that other four episodes would be based upon the songs " Two Doors Down", "

Down from Dover Down from Dover is a song written and performed by Dolly Parton, originally released on Parton's album '' The Fairest of them All'' (1970). It was later recorded by many other artists, including Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood and Marianne Faithfull ...

", "Sugar Hill", and "Cracker Jack". "Two Doors Down" was set to be directed by

Wendey Stanzler Wendey Stanzler is an American film editor and television director. She was co-editor and associate producer of Michael Moore's documentary '' Roger & Me'', in 1989. She also co-edited Moore's only fiction film, '' Canadian Bacon'' ( 1993). Stan ...

from a script by Mark B. Perry, "Down From Dover" to be directed by Erica Dunton from a script by

John Sacret Young John Sacret Young (May 24, 1946 – June 3, 2021) was an American author, producer, director, and screenwriter primarily in television, perhaps best known for his work on the show ''China Beach''. Young was nominated for seven Emmy Award, Emmys ...

, "Sugar Hill" to be directed by Lev L. Spiro from a script by

Thomas Ian Griffith Thomas Ian Griffith (born March 18, 1962) is an American actor and martial artist. He is best known for portraying Terry Silver in the 1989 film ''The Karate Kid Part III'', a role he reprised in the fourth and fifth seasons of the television ...

and

Mary Page Keller Mary Page Keller (born March 3, 1961) is an American actress known for roles on television. Keller began her career on the daytime soap operas ''Ryan's Hope'' (1982–1983) and '' Another World'' (1983–1985) and later starred in a number of tel ...

, and "Cracker Jack" to be directed by

Liesl Tommy Liesl Tommy () is a South African-American director. Primarily known for her stage work, Tommy became the first woman of color to be nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, for directing the Broadway production of Danai Gurira' ...

from a script by Lisa Melamed.

Casting

Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that

would appear in the series. In November 2018, it was announced that

Julianne Hough Julianne Alexandra Hough (; born July 20, 1988) is an American dancer, actress, and singer. In 2007, she joined the cast of ABC's ''Dancing with the Stars'' as a professional dancer, winning two seasons with her celebrity partners. After leavin ...

Kimberly Williams-Paisley Kimberly Payne Williams-Paisley (née Williams; born September 14, 1971) is an American actress known for her co-starring roles on ''According to Jim'' and '' Nashville,'' as well as her breakthrough performance in '' Father of the Bride'' (199 ...

, and

Dallas Roberts Dallas Mark Roberts (born May 10, 1970) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Milton Mamet in the third season of AMC's '' The Walking Dead'' (2012-2013), Eliot Delson on '' Unforgettable'', and Owen Cavanaugh on ''The Good Wif ...

had been cast in the episode "Jolene", that Kathleen Turner,

Ginnifer Goodwin Jennifer Michelle "Ginnifer" Goodwin (born May 22, 1978) is an American actress. She is known for her starring role as Margene Heffman in the HBO drama series ''Big Love'' (2006–2011) and Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard in the ABC fan ...

, and

Kyle Bornheimer Kyle Edward Bornheimer (born September 10, 1975) is an American actor and comedian known for his roles on the sitcoms '' Worst Week'', ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'', '' Casual'', and '' Playing House''. Life and career Bornheimer was born in Mishawaka ...

had been cast in the episode "These Old Bones", and that

Gerald McRaney Gerald Lee McRaney (born August 19, 1947) is an American television and film actor. McRaney is best known as one of the stars of the television shows '' Simon & Simon'', ''Major Dad'', ''Promised Land'' and '' House of Cards''. He currently stars ...

Brooke Elliott Brooke Elliott (born November 16, 1974) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in musical theatre, including the US tours of ''Beauty and the Beast'' and ''Wicked'', and the Broadway productions of ''Taboo'' and '' The Pirate Queen'' ...

, Ben Lawson,

Michele Weaver Michele Weaver is an American actress, known for playing the leading role in the Oprah Winfrey Network romantic drama series, '' Love Is''. Life and career Weaver was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She is the daughter of a Haitian moth ...

Delta Burke Delta Ramona Leah Burke (born July 30, 1956) is an American actress, producer, and author. From 1986 to 1991, she starred as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom ''Designing Women'', for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstan ...

, and

Tim Reid Timothy Lee Reid (born December 19, 1944) is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as Venus Flytrap on ''WKRP in Cincinnati'' (1978–82), Marcel "Downtown" Brown ...

had been cast in the episode "If I Had Wings". On December 19, 2018, it was reported that

Colin O'Donoghue Colin Arthur O'Donoghue (born 26 January 1981) is an Irish actor and musician, best known for portraying Captain Killian "Hook" Jones on the ABC TV show '' Once Upon a Time''. He appeared in the 2011 horror thriller film '' The Rite'' (2011 ...

Willa Fitzgerald Willa Fitzgerald (born January 17, 1991) is an American actress. She is known for her starring role as Emma Duval in MTV's ''Scream''. She has played cheer coach Colette French in the USA Network's television drama series '' Dare Me'' and offic ...

David Denman David Denman (born July 25, 1973) is an American actor. He made his film debut in '' The Replacements''. His other feature credits include ''Big Fish'', '' Fair Game'', ''The Nines'', '' Shutter'', ''Smart People'', '' Fanboys'', '' Let Go'', '' ...

, Mac Davis, and Vanessa Rubio had been cast in the episode "JJ Sneed". On February 11, 2019, it was announced that

Melissa Leo Melissa Chessington Leo (born September 14, 1960) is an American actress. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Critics' Choice A ...

, Ray McKinnon,

Andy Mientus Andrew Michael Mientus (born November 10, 1986) is an American actor. He is best known for starring in the Broadway musicals '' Spring Awakening'', ''Les Misérables'', and '' Wicked'', and on television in the NBC musical drama '' Smash'' and as ...

Katie Stevens Katherine Mari Stevens (born December 8, 1992) is an American actress and singer, known for finishing in eighth place on the ninth season of ''American Idol'' and starring as Karma Ashcroft in '' Faking It'' and Jane Sloan in ''The Bold Type' ...

, and Michael Willett had been cast in the episode "Two Doors Down", Holly Taylor, Shane McGhie, Robert Taylor,

Bellamy Young Bellamy Young (born Amy Maria Young; February 19, 1970) is an American actress, producer and singer, best known for her role as Melody "Mellie" Grant in the ABC drama series'' Scandal'' (2012–2018). In 2014 for her portrayal of Mellie, she won ...

Camryn Manheim Debra Frances "Camryn" Manheim (born March 8, 1961) is an American actress known for her roles as attorney Ellenor Frutt on ABC's '' The Practice'', Delia Banks on CBS's '' Ghost Whisperer'', Gladys Presley in the 2005 miniseries '' Elvis'', and ...

, and Mary Lane Haskell had been cast in the episode "Down From Dover",

Patricia Wettig Patricia Anne Wettig (born December 4, 1951) is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her role as Nancy Weston in the television series ''Thirtysomething'' (1987–1991), for which she received a Golden Globe Award and three P ...

Virginia Gardner Virginia Elizabeth Gardner is an American actress who played Karolina Dean in the Hulu original series ''Runaways (TV series), Marvel's Runaways'' (2017–2019), Vicky in David Gordon Green's horror film ''Halloween (2018 film), Halloween'' (2018 ...

, and

Tom Brittney Tom Christopher Brittney (born 26 October 1990) is an English actor who is best known for playing the Reverend Will Davenport in ''Grantchester'' (2019–present). Biography Tom Brittney was born in Gravesend, Kent on 26 October 1990. He move ...

had been cast in the episode "Sugar Hill", and that

Sarah Shahi Aahoo Jahansouzshahi ( fa, آهو جهانسوز شاهی; born ), known professionally as Sarah Shahi (), is an American actress and former model. She played Carmen on ''The L Word'' in 2005, Kate Reed in the USA Network legal drama ''Fairly Leg ...

Rochelle Aytes Rochelle Aytes is an American actress and model. She is best known for her role as April Malloy on ABC drama series ''Mistresses'' (2013–16) and as the voice of Rochelle in the critically acclaimed video game ''Left 4 Dead 2'' (2009). Aytes a ...

Jessica Collins Jessica Collins (born Jessica Lynn Capogna; April 1, 1971) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Dinah Lee Mayberry on the ABC soap opera ''Loving'' (1991–1994) and Avery Bailey Clark on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and ...

, and

Tammy Lynn Michaels Tammy Lynn Michaels (née Doring), also known by the surname Etheridge from her relationship with Melissa Etheridge, is an American actress. Michaels was a regular cast member on The WB's ''Popular''. Career Michaels developed a passion for ac ...

had been cast in the episode "Cracker Jack".

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced in September 2018 in

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

. Filming occurred in locations that month such as

Cartersville Cartersville is a city in Bartow County, Georgia, Bartow County, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States; it is located within the northwest edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the city ha ...

Stone Mountain Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome Inselberg, monadnock and the site of Stone Mountain Park, east of Atlanta, Georgia. Outside the park is the small city of Stone Mountain, Georgia. The park is the most visited tourist site in the state o ...

Kennesaw Kennesaw is a suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, located within the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Known from its original settlement in the 1830s until 1887 as Big Shanty, it became Kennesaw under its ...

, and at Third Rail Studios in

Doraville Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,623. History Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1 ...

. In October 2018, filming took place in such locations as Milton, Canton, the Orange United Methodist Church in Lathemtown, and Emory Hospital in

Smyrna Smyrna ( ; grc, Σμύρνη, Smýrnē, or , ) was a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to promi ...

. In November 2018, shooting moved to locales including Norcross, Gainesville, Cumming. In December 2018, the production was working out of

Snellville Snellville is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, east of Atlanta. The population was 18,242 at the 2010 census, and in 2019 the estimated population was 20,077. It is a developed suburb of Atlanta and a part of the Atlanta metr ...

, Loganville, and downtown Canton. In January 2019, shooting was held in various areas like the Tucker Recreation Center in

Tucker, Georgia Tucker is a city located in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, located near Atlanta and was originally settled in the 1820s, and later developed as a railroad community in 1892. According to the 2016 United States Census Bureau annual estimate ...

and

Marietta Square Marietta Square, also called Glover Park, is a park and traditional city center in Marietta, Georgia, United States. History When the Cobb County courthouse burned in 1848, Mayor John Glover donated the land to the city on the condition that it ...

Marietta, Georgia Marietta is a city in and the county seat of Cobb County, Georgia, United States. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 60,972. The 2019 estimate was 60,867, making it one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. Marietta is the fourth larges ...

Episodes

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

, the series holds an approval rating of 50% based on critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.94/10. On

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...

, it has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100 based on reviews from 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The episode "Two Doors Down" received a

GLAAD Media Award The GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by GLAAD to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their liv ...

for Outstanding Individual Episode at the 31st GLAAD Awards. The episode "These Old Bones" was nominated for a 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.

References

External links

* * {{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode 2010s American drama television series 2019 American television series debuts 2010s American anthology television series Dolly Parton English-language Netflix original programming Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios