Fans are calling Dolly Parton's Heartstrings on Netflix a 'perfect' comfort watch following the country icon's death at the age of 80. The eight-episode anthology series, released in 2019, reimagines some of her most well-known songs and features cameos from Dolly herself.
Music fans around the world were left stunned on Tuesday (August 26) by news that Dolly had died. The announcement was made on her official Instagram account in a video from her nephew Bryan Seaver on behalf of the Parton family.
Statement from Dolly's PR team
A statement from Dolly's PR team said: "Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old."
Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).
"A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton's legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience."
It continued: "With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact."
Heartstrings series details
At Dolly's request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly's fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
Dolly is best known for her genre-defining catalogue of hits, including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Over the course of her career, she won eleven Grammys, three Emmys and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. On top of this she received nominations for two Academy Awards, six Golden Globes and a Tony.
Dolly Parton's Heartstrings is an eight-episode anthology series, which she executive produced. Described by Netflix as 'heartfelt, funny tales of nostalgia, connection, and acceptance', Dolly makes cameos in several of the episodes.
The first episode, Jolene, brings to life the song about a woman pleading with her friend not to steal her partner. It stars Father of the Brides' Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Rock of Ages' Julianne Hough as the woman feuding over The Walking Dead's Dallas Roberts.
Fan reactions
The other songs explored by the series are Two Doors Down, If I Had Wings, Cracker Jack, Down from Dover, Sugar Hill, J.J. Sneed, and These Old Bones. The latter was nominated for a 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
Dolly Parton's Heartstrings' stacked cast includes The Fighter's Melissa Leo, Sons of Anarchy's Ray McKinnon, Drop Dead Diva's Brooke Elliott, The Good Place's Ben Lawson, Once Upon a Time's Colin O'Donoghue, Reacher's Willa Fitzgerald and The War of the Roses' Kathleen Turner.
Previously speaking to Glamour about the series, Dolly said: "I hope I've made them feel things—things they might have forgotten, things maybe they hadn't felt before—but I hope they go away entertained more than anything. I hope they go away thinking, Oh, I'm so glad I saw that. I hope they think about it and watch it again. And they can on Netflix!"
Many people who have already watched the series have left reviews on X, previously known as Twitter, to explain why it's a perfect watch for any Dolly fan.
@i_am_caryn said: "If you're wanting to spend some time remembering Dolly Parton, and want to let yourself cry a fair bit, I recommend watching Heartstrings on Netflix. 8 episodes, each based on a different Dolly song. And yes, some of them will make you tear up. 10/10 recommend." @dirty_crowns added: "Dolly Parton is just what we needed. Thank you @netflix."
@iconiconpurpose wrote: "just a reminder that Dolly Parton heartstrings was the best thing to happen to netflix." @rikincanton posted: "I'm watching Heartstrings on Netflix. Dolly Parton is a National Treasure."
@pcraggs01 commented: "Heartstrings by Dolly Parton on Netflix, one of the best series I've ever seen." @romcdonald stated: "Dolly Parton Heartstrings is the perfect binge-worthy series on Netflix, even my 76 year old father recommended it."
