Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Highly Anticipated Dolly Parton Documentary Series: A Deep Dive Into the Life of a Legend
In an announcement that has sent waves of excitement through the entertainment world, Netflix has officially revealed the premiere date for its highly anticipated documentary series on the one and only Dolly Parton. Titled Dolly Parton: Life of a Legend, the multi-part docuseries is scheduled to premiere globally on September 13, 2025, offering an unprecedented, intimate look at the life, career, and cultural impact of the iconic country music star, philanthropist, and national treasure.
A Global Icon Under the Microscope
Few figures in American music have achieved the kind of universal admiration that Dolly Parton enjoys. With a career spanning more than six decades, over 100 million albums sold, 25 No. 1 Billboard hits, and a string of accolades including Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton is much more than a singer. She is a symbol of perseverance, authenticity, generosity, and artistic brilliance.
Netflix’s new docuseries aims to peel back the rhinestones and bouffant hair to reveal the real woman behind the legend—her struggles, triumphs, and the deeply personal journey that transformed a girl from a one-room cabin in rural Tennessee into a global icon beloved by generations.
A Rare Look Behind the Curtain
The docuseries, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA), promises to offer viewers unparalleled access to Dolly’s personal archives, never-before-seen home footage, handwritten lyrics, and intimate interviews with Parton herself. Friends, collaborators, and family members—ranging from country legends like Willie Nelson and Reba McEntire to modern pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Kacey Musgraves—also provide commentary and anecdotes that deepen the portrait of Parton’s remarkable life.
“Dolly Parton is not just a superstar. She’s a symbol of hope, love, and resilience,” said Kopple. “With Life of a Legend, we wanted to move beyond the glitz and glam and show the quiet courage, the creative brilliance, and the sheer heart of the woman behind the voice.”
From Smoky Mountains to Global Stardom
Part one of the series focuses on Parton’s early years in Sevier County, Tennessee. Born the fourth of twelve children, Dolly grew up in extreme poverty, an experience she never shied away from and often celebrated in her music. The series chronicles her early exposure to music in church, her first performances on local radio at age 10, and her move to Nashville at just 18 with nothing but a guitar and a dream.
Subsequent episodes chart her meteoric rise through the country music charts in the late ’60s and early ’70s, her complicated professional split from Porter Wagoner, and the creation of genre-defining hits like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” The docuseries explores her shrewd business instincts, her decision to cross over into pop music in the 1980s, and her acting career in hits like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
Dolly the Philanthropist
But Life of a Legend does more than just chronicle her musical career—it shines a spotlight on Parton’s extraordinary philanthropy. One episode is dedicated entirely to her charitable work, especially the Imagination Library, a program that has delivered over 250 million free books to children across five countries. The series also highlights her $1 million donation to COVID-19 vaccine research, her work in disaster relief, and her quiet but transformative support for struggling families and education in Appalachia.
“She gives without wanting anything in return. That’s Dolly,” says Oprah Winfrey in one of the episodes. “She’s a force of light in a world that desperately needs it.”
More Than Just a Legend
The final episodes of the series dive into Dolly’s enduring relevance in the 21st century. While many of her contemporaries faded from public consciousness, Dolly has remained not only beloved but cool—collaborating with everyone from EDM producers to rock legends, and gaining new fans on TikTok and Instagram.
Netflix examines her strategic reinvention through fashion, branding, and social media while never compromising her values or authenticity. She’s one of the few stars who has managed to remain politically neutral without losing fan support, and her unwavering stance on kindness, inclusivity, and humility has made her a cross-generational icon.
In her own words, captured in the docuseries: “I’ve always said if you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours. If I can do that through my music and my life, then I’ve done my job.”
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Release
The announcement of Life of a Legend comes after months of speculation and behind-the-scenes buzz. Netflix teased the project earlier this year, but the September release date and full scope of the series remained under wraps until now.
Netflix executive Sarah Levy said in a statement: “Dolly Parton represents the soul of American music and the spirit of global resilience. We’re honored to bring her story to millions of viewers in what we believe is one of the most inspiring and honest documentary portraits ever made.”
Early previews screened at the Cannes International Series Festival received standing ovations, and critics are already calling it a contender for multiple Emmy Awards in 2026.
A Cultural Event in the Making
As the premiere date approaches, fans and critics alike are preparing for what may be one of the year’s biggest streaming events. Social media is buzzing with anticipation, country radio is preparing tribute segments, and Netflix plans a simultaneous global livestream event featuring a special Q&A with Dolly herself.
For longtime fans, this documentary is more than entertainment—it’s a celebration of a woman who has given the world so much through her voice, her compassion, and her enduring sparkle.
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Dolly Parton: Life of a Legend premieres exclusively on Netflix on September 13, 2025. It’s not just a series—it’s a tribute to the power of dreams, the strength of humility, and the music of a living legend.
Grab your tissues and your rhinestones
. Dolly’s story is ready to be told like never before.
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