Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ anthology episode to feature Julianne Hough, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Dallas Roberts
Originally posted Thursday, November 1, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Dolly Parton's current Netflix anthology "Dolly Parton's Heartstrings" based on some of her most famous songs is about to shoot an episode that will feature Parton herself.
The episode is based on her classic song "Jolene," which is shooting in part at Third Rail Studios in Doraville. It has cast Julianne Hough ("Footloose," "Dancing With the Stars"), Dallas Roberts ("The Walking Dead," "Insatiable") and Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("Father of the Bride").
Each stand-alone episode will be based on one her famous songs. Parton will open each one to explain the meaning behind the songs.
This particular “Jolene” episode is the only one I know of that Parton will actually act in.
According to the show’s descriptive, Hough will play Jolene, “a flirtatious free-spirited waitress with aspirations of escaping her small hometown of Coventry, GA to follow her dreams of becoming a successful singer-songwriter.”
Parton will play Babe, a sparkly force of nature and the proud proprietor of Baby Blue’s, a local honky tonk with a notorious reputation for its scantily-clad waitresses and eclectic crowd. Hough will work for her.
Williams-Paisley plays Emily, a devoted wife and mother who starts a new chapter of her life as the president of the Coventry’s Women’s League. In her search for personal fulfillment and purpose, she’s pulled into Jolene’s orbit.
Roberts will play Aaron, a loving husband and father wrestling with the marathon of marriage as well as the imminent threat of a mid-life crisis which likely will include a possible romantic connection with Jolene.
The eight-episode season will air in 2019.
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
