Former Once Upon A Time star Colin O’Donoghue has been cast in the titular role in Dolly Parton’s Heartstings: JJ Sneed, an episode of Netflix’s upcoming eight-episode anthology series that showcases the stories, memories and inspirations behind Parton’s most beloved songs. Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series), David Denman (13 Hours), Mac Davis and Vanessa Rubio (Cobra Kai) round out the cast, joining Parton in the series which launches at once in 2019. Each episode is a standalone story with a different cast.
In the JJ Sneed episode, written by Jim Strain and directed by Terry McDonough, O’Donoghue plays JJ Sneed, Fitzgerald portrays Maddie, Denman is Deke Fletcher, Davis will play Reverend Riggs and Rubio is Cimmaron.
Set in the 1880s, the episode centers around a feisty young woman trapped in a mundane existence who dreams of more, until a seductive outlaw pulls her into the adventure of a lifetime.
Scored by new and classic Parton music, each stand-alone episode in Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings will begin with an introduction by Parton talking/singing to camera (as herself) about the meaning behind each song. Each episode will feature a different cast, and Parton will star/guest star in some. They will vary in tone, from love stories and inspirational tales to family dramas, Westerns, and revenge comedies.
The series is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions and Sandollar Productions in association with Warner Bros Television, where Magnolia Hill has a deal. Patrick Sean Smith executive produces and serves as showrunner. Longtime collaborators Parton and Sam Haskell also executive produce.
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