<P> Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors is a 2015 American made - for - television drama film based on a true story by Dolly Parton, written by Pamela K. Long and directed by Stephen Herek . The film premiered on NBC on December 10, 2015 . The film received generally positive reviews from critics . </P> <P> Coat of Many Colors details Dolly Parton's upbringing in 1955 as her family struggles to live in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, putting a strain on love and faith . Dolly (Alyvia Alyn Lind) aspires to be something greater but must cope with family troubles, including the premature birth and death of a baby brother . Dolly's mother, Avie Lee Parton (Jennifer Nettles) uses the baby's blanket to make Dolly her patchwork coat of many colors . Although Dolly is at first proud of it, she changes her mind after school bullies make fun of her . Meanwhile, Dolly's father, Lee Parton (Ricky Schroder) suffers a personal crisis brought about by the baby's death combined with the depression of his wife and a drought which threatened his tobacco crop . Eventually, faith brings the family together again . </P> <Ul> <Li> Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton, a precocious nine - year - old who hopes to be a famous singer </Li> <Li> Jennifer Nettles as Avie Lee Parton, the devout matriarch of the Partons living in the mountains </Li> <Li> Ricky Schroder as Robert Lee Parton, the hard - working patriarch of the Partons with faith issues </Li> <Li> Gerald McRaney as Rev. Jake Owens, Avie Lee's father and preacher </Li> <Li> Carson Meyer as Willadeene Parton, Dolly's oldest sister </Li> <Li> Hannah Nordberg as Judy Ogle, Dolly's schoolmate - turned - friend </Li> <Li> Mary Lane Haskell as Miss Moody, school teacher who is firm yet supportive of Dolly's aspiration </Li> <Li> Stella Parton as Corla Bass, owner of the town market and a gossip </Li> <Li> Forrest Deal as Rudy Sanders, a school bully </Li> <Li> Kennedy Brice as Gloria Sanders, Rudy's sister and another bully </Li> <Li> Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton, Dolly's younger sister </Li> <Li> Parker Sack as David Parton, Dolly's oldest brother </Li> <Li> Dylan Rowen as Denver Parton, Dolly's second - oldest brother </Li> <Li> Blane Crockarell as Bobby Parton, Dolly's younger brother </Li> <Li> Jennifer D. Taylor as Aunt Dorothy Jo </Li> <Li> Dolly Parton as the narrator </Li> </Ul> <Li> Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly Parton, a precocious nine - year - old who hopes to be a famous singer </Li>

Dolly parton movie the coat of many colors