Bestselling Novel Dumplin' Is Coming to Netflix, and the Cast Is Pretty Perfect
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A movie adaptation of Dumplin' is heading to Netflix, and Jennifer Aniston is taking the lead. Dumplin' is a comedy-drama based on the New York Times bestselling book by Julie Murphy and will be available on Netflix and in select theaters on Dec. 7. It tells the story of Willowdean Dickson, a "self-proclaimed fat girl" played by Danielle Macdonald (Patti Cake$), who's dubbed "Dumplin'" by her former beauty-queen mom (Aniston).
An always-confident Willowdean doesn't care what anybody else thinks, until she falls for Private School Bo at her fast-food restaurant job — and he likes her back. Per the book's description, "Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant — along with several other unlikely candidates — to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she'll shock the hell out of Clover City — and maybe herself most of all."
Dumplin' is directed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses). In addition to Aniston, confirmed cast members include Odeya Rush (Lady Bird), Dove Cameron (Descendants), and Harold Perrineau (Lost), and Dolly Parton will debut original music in the film's soundtrack. Get even more details about the Dumplin' movie, cast, trailer, and music ahead.
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The Book
Dumplin' was published in September 2015 and became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller. Texas-based author Julie Murphy also wrote Puddin', Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary.
Netflix acquired the film in September 2018, and Murphy shared her excitement.
The Trailer
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The Cast
Danielle Macdonald (Patti Cake$, Bird Box, Skin, Paradise Hills) stars as fearless heroine Willowdean Dickson.
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Jennifer Aniston plays Willowdean's mom, Rosie Dickson, a former beauty queen.
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Luke Benward (Field of Lost Shoes) plays Bo, a hot former jock whom Willowdean meets at Harpy's, the local fast-food joint.
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Odeya Rush, who played Jenna Walton (the schoolgirl with glowing skin) in Lady Bird, plays Ellen Dryver, Willowdean's best friend, in Dumplin'.
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Harold Perrineau (Lost, Claws) appears in Dumplin' as Lee Wayne/Rhea Ranged, a passionate drag queen who is inspired by Dumplin's willingness to break out of her comfort zone and becomes her pageant coach.
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Dove Cameron (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Liv and Maddie, Descendants) plays Bekah Colter.
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Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Killing) plays Hannah.
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Ginger Minj, who competed in season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race, also joins the Dumplin' cast.
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The Music
Dolly Parton is an integral part of the Dumplin' book, and she's creating original music for the film! The movie has six new original songs cowritten by Parton and Grammy nominee Linda Perry.
The full Dumplin' soundtrack won't be released until Nov. 30, but Parton is releasing a single on Sept. 14: a recording of her 1971 song "Here I Am" featuring Sia.